Spezand Airfield

The primary reason for closure was military obsolescence and strategic redundancy. Originally built for World War II-era propeller aircraft, its unpaved or rudimentary runways were unsuitable for the heavier and faster jet aircraft that became standard post-war. The development and expansion of the nearby, more capable PAF Base Samungli (Quetta International Airport) rendered Spezand Airfield unnecessary for the Pakistan Air Force's operational needs.

The site is no longer an airfield. The original triangular runway layout, characteristic of WWII-era bases, is still clearly visible from satellite imagery but is unmaintained and unusable for aircraft. The land has been completely repurposed and is now an active base for the Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan, a Pakistani paramilitary force, likely housing the Spezand Scouts unit. The site contains modern barracks, administrative buildings, training facilities, and vehicle depots.

Spezand Airfield, historically known as RAF Spezand, was a significant military airbase constructed during the British Raj. Its primary importance was during World War II, when it served as a forward operating and staging base for the Royal Air Force (RAF) under No. 227 Group. It was crucial for air defense, reconnaissance, and supply missions on the western frontier of British India. After the partition in 1947, control was transferred to the Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF), which later became the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). It was used in the early years of Pakistan before its strategic importance waned.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Spezand Airfield for any form of aviation. Its strategic aviation role has been permanently superseded by Quetta International Airport, which serves both civil and military needs for the entire region. The current use of the site as a critical and active base for the Frontier Corps makes its conversion back to an airport highly improbable.