Islamabad, March 15 (IANS) The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Monday launched High Mark-2010, its biggest war game in five years that will cover the the entire country from Skardu in the north till the Arabian Sea in the south.

According to a PAF spokesman, High Mark-2010 is aimed at conducting operations in a near-realistic tactical environment while integrating new inductions and providing role-oriented training to the combat and support elements of the force.

'The exercise is designed to achieve stipulated objectives with special emphasis on exposing PAF combat crew to simulated air battles based on contemporary concepts,' Online news agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

The exercise will include joint operations with extensive participation from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy that would further enhance joint operations, integration and cooperation amongst the three services, the spokesman said.

Ahead of the exercise, the PAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman disseminated the Air Tasking Orders (ATO) to the participating units, which include all the main operating bases and forward operating bases.

New inductions like the JF-17 Thunder aircraft that has been jointly developed with China and force multipliers such as the Saab-2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft and air-to-air refuellers will be participating in the exercise for the first time.

According to the spokesman, 'the ever changing geo-political environment in the region demands change in the employment concepts and doctrinal changes in the application of air power with emphasis on joint operations.'

'High Mark-2010 would provide the PAF an opportunity to validate these concepts that are vital for the overall defence of the country,' he added.