The philosophy behind the JF-17 project was to develop a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft that could replace PAF’s ageing fighter fleet while fulfilling the...
Read MoreAir Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan (Retd)
Former President CASS
Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan (Retd)
Professional Experience
Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan (Retd) was President Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad, from 13 September 2021 till 28 April 2024. From August 2023 till March 2024, he also served as Advisor Aviation to the Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan.
After graduating from Government College Faisalabad, he joined PAF and was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of the PAF, in March 1977. After commissioning, he served as a fighter pilot in various frontline fighter squadrons and flew over 3400 hrs on combat and trainer aircraft of PAF. During his service, he remained on various important command and staff appointments. His command assignments included command of a fighter squadron, a fighter wing and an operational PAF airbase. His appointments at Air Headquarters included Additional Director General (ADG) Air Force Strategic Command, Chief Project Director of JF-17 program and Vice Chief of the Air Staff, an appointment he held till his retirement in July 2013. He has also served as Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board (PACB) at Kamra. He has been President Ski Federation of Pakistan, on CAA Board and Chairman Monitoring Committee of Islamabad and Multan Airports. The Air Marshal has also served as Pakistan’s Air Attaché at New Delhi, India. Air Marshal Farhat has qualified various professional courses including Combat Commanders’ Course, Air War Course and National Defence Course. He holds two Master’s degrees, one from the University of Karachi and one in Defence and Strategic Studies from the National Defence University, Islamabad. He is the co-author of “The Aviation City” and “Milestones” about the growth of military aviation industry in Pakistan and its way forward. After retirement from service, given his immense engineering management expertise, he started work on building Pakistan’s Aircraft Manufacturing Industries with a civilian partner in the private sector. He is the sitting Chairman of Scaled Aviation Pvt Ltd, the first and only aircraft manufacturing industry in Pakistan, presently engaged in manufacturing two-seat trainers, and has ventured into designing a purely indigenous six-seat aircraft. He is a recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), and Sitara-i-Basalat.