4 replies to this topic

[Simpleton]

Navy gets two P3C Orion aircraft from US

By: Our Staff Reporter |  February 22, 2012


KARACHI - The second batch of two modified P3C aircraft were inducted into Pakistan Navy fleet at Naval Aviation Base in Karachi on Tuesday.
The aircraft modified with latest avionics/sensors are part of the US assistance being provided to Pakistan Navy under FMF (Foreign Military Funding) programme.
Pakistan Navy is to receive a total of six such aircraft from US in batches of two each. The first batch was inducted into Pakistan Navy in 2010.
According to a statement, the aircraft has extended surveillance capability which will help Pakistan Navy maintain requisite vigil in Pakistan’s vital area of interest in North Arabian Sea. The area regarded as an important trade and energy corridor for the global economy, is home to intense maritime activity both legal and illegal and thus warrants continuous guard.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, chief guest Vice Admiral M Zakaullah welcomed the addition of P3C aircraft which will significantly add to the combat potential of Pakistan Navy fleet. The ceremony was attended by a large number of serving and retired Pakistan Navy personnel.
AFP adds: The Pakistan Navy took delivery of two state-of-the-art, US-made surveillance aircraft nine months after militants destroyed two similar planes in an attack on Mehran base, officials said. The attack killed 10 personnel just three weeks after Osama bin Laden was killed in the garrison town of Abbottabad.



So, are these meant as replacements for a/c lost at PNS Mehran?  Or are these a/c separately ordered prior to PNS Mehran?  If these are separate from the a/c lost, then will we be acquiring replacements of lost a/c in addition to the six of which these two belong to?  Why are we going for US equipment still?

[Simpleton]

Pakistan recieves two refurbished P-3Cs

By:   Greg Waldron Singapore

Pakistan has received two former US navy Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion aircraft, the second batch under a six-aircraft foreign military sales (FMS) deal.
The first P-3C was delivered on 12 February and the second on 17 February, said a US government spokesman. The aircraft were delivered to Pakistan Naval Station (PNS) Mehran near Karachi, where they will be based.
A Pakistan navy spokesman confirmed the delivery, but could not confirm when the final pair under the deal will be delivered.
He added that the first batch of two refurbished P-3Cs delivered in 2010 were not the same Orions that were destroyed in the May 2011 terrorist raid at PNS Mehran.
The Pakistan P-3C FMS programme involves the conversion of former US navy Orions, with Lockheed upgrading their mission equipment and providing maintenance work. In Pakistan, the P-3C Orion is used for maritime patrol, as well as anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare.

[rungroot]

These are replacements for the two destroyed during the Mehran base attack.  Im surprised that we actually got these, the amreekans were adamant with a crap load of taunting sarcasm when they said that they weren't going replace the destroyed Orions.  It must've been some hard arm twisting the GHQ must've done to get these Orions.

[Caesar]

I really hope these assets are protected this time ...... but I have no confidence in this leadership. They are a bunch of sell outs.

[hifi]

So how many dead pakistanis did it take to get these ?