ISLAMABAD (PTI): Pakistan Air Force formally commenced a country-wide exercise aimed at conducting operations in a "near-realistic tactical environment" and integrating its new acquisitions like the JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft and Saab 2000 AWACS into its fleet.

The manoeuvre, codenamed "High Mark 2010" began with Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman disseminating the "air tasking orders" to all PAF units on Monday.

The exercise will cover the whole of Pakistan, from Skardu in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south.

The PAF’s new inductions, including the JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft, Saab 2000 airborne warning and control aircraft and Il-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft, are participating in the exercise for the first time.

All main operating bases and forward operating bases of PAF are participating in the exercise.

The wargame include joint operations with the army and navy aimed at enhancing integration and cooperation among the three services.

"High Mark 2010 is aimed at conducting operations in a near-realistic tactical environment while integrating new inductions and providing role-oriented training to combat and support elements of PAF," an official statement said.

Recently, Pakistan Navy had conducted an intensive firepower drill in the North Arabian Sea with newly inducted weapon systems such as anti-surface missiles on Chinese-made F-22 P frigates, air-to-surface missiles of P3C maritime surveillance aircraft and Chinese C802 long-range anti-ship cruise missiles.