FLEET AIR ARM

Over two third of the earth surface is covered with water where as air is ubiquitous. Fleet air arm is unique because it utilizes these inherent environmental factors to its own advantage and acts as a force multiplier and provides ever needed flexibility to the force commander. The idea of Fleet Air Arm was conceived in early years of the decade of 70s and today by the grace of Allah the Fleet Air Arm has progressed to become a highly effective force. The air arm is designed to operate in all the facets of naval operations ranging from surveillance, tracking and subsequent destruction of enemy units. Apart from this the naval air arm also take part in operations other than war such as search and rescue, casualty evacuation, relief operations etc.The main operating base for naval aviation, PNS MEHRAN is located at Karachi. It houses all maintenance facilities, Command HQ’s, and training centres. The aviation base established in the mid seventies is fully equipped and geared to undertake flight operations for a variety of aircraft including helicopters and fixed wing aircraft

TThe Squadron was raised in the aftermath of the analysis of 1971 War. It was established that lack of early warning from the seaward i.e., absence of PN air surveillance capability allowed the Indian Navy Ships to close Karachi harbour for attacks. The basic aim, therefore, was to acquire an efficient air surveillance asset and achieve additional benefits like ASW, SAR and photographic capabilities. After studying various available options, the French Atlantics were selected and acquisition formalities were completed in 1974. Finally the Squadron was raised in 1976, with three Atlantics. As the raising year of 1976 coincided with 29th year of independence of Pakistan, this also became the reason to name "29 ASW Squadron". The prefix ‘ASW’ highlights the Anti Submarine Warfare credentials of the aircraft i.e., to accomplish all the phases of ASW, right from initial detection to the eventual destruction of enemy submarine, all by itself.

In 1989, PN Atlantics were modified to fire Exocet Missile. With this modification, PN Atlantics became the first LRMPs to acquire ASV capability. Even the French Atlantics, at that time, did not have this advantage. To maintain a qualitative edge in the field of LRMP operations, PN Atlantics were modified with state of the art French sensors like ESM, Acoustic Processor, Radar, Navigation System etc, in the mid nineties. The latest sensors have made PN Atlantic Fleet second to none in the region and at par with the latest French Atlantic-II and other modernised LRMPs of the world.

Atlantic is being utilized in almost every facet of Naval Operations. This aircraft because of its inherent advantages of multi role capability, high operational endurance, counter detection advantage, weapon superiority and being uniquely suited for immediate response across the wide spectrum of conflict has become an ideal choice of every force commander. PN Atlantics is by far, the fastest player in the Maritime Warfare scenarios affecting Pakistan. The PN Atlantics are integral to almost all the naval operations perceived to be undertaken by PN Fleet.

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PN inducted its first Fokker aircraft in 1982.  In order to meet various PN requirements, three aircraft have been modified.  The modified Fokkers are now at par with the other LRMPs in PN inventory.  Thus PN Fokker not only trains Navigators//Pilots but also shares a major burden of Tactical/operational missions in the entire Indian Ocean.

The Fokker F-27 is all metal, high wing monoplanes for short/medium range transport, designed to carry 40 passengers or freight or combination of both passengers and freight.  The marinized version of the aircraft is capable of prolonged sea operations.  These include Surv, ASW, OTHT and VECTAC.  With requisite equipment fitted, the as compared to aircraft of same capabilities.  One of the aircraft is equipped with large cargo door and para drop equipment which provides operational/tactical airlift capability to PN and a spring board to SSG (N) personnel for their operations.

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P3C is the latest addition to the Naval Air Arm. These aircraft are extremely potent and easy to maintain. The roles that can be undertaken by P-3Cs are much the same that can be performed by any other LRMP in the world. The sensors fitted onboard are integrated through an onboard central computer to produce a synergetic effect. Weapon carrying capacity of P-3C aircraft is un-paralleled by any other LRMP. It can carry a variety of anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons. The P-3C also has a very high operational performance.

P3C aircraft has variety of roles. It is basically an anti submarine and anti surface aircraft possessing variety of weapons such as missiles, torpedoes, Depth Charges, bombs etc. In its secondary role this aircraft is utilized for surveillance and SAR.