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Monthly Defense News Recap: January 2022
In January 2022, Pakistan started inducting its new mainstay weapon systems, notably the SH-15 wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and Tughril-class (Type 054A/P) frigate. Leaning on China as its primary arms supplier, Pakistan is adding a range of net-new warfare capabilities.
Pakistan Army Receives First Batch of Norinco SH-15 Self-Propelled Howitzers
According to publicly available export-import logs, the Pakistan Army took delivery of its first Norinco SH-15 self-propelled howitzers (SPH) on 13 January 2022. It is not clear how many SH-15s Pakistan received, but the logs indicate that Norinco delivered 76 packages comprising of guns and ammunition.
Pakistan Navy Inducts ex-Qatari Sea King Helicopters
On 24 January 2022, the Pakistan Navy (PN) announced that it inducted second-hand Sea King helicopters from the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF). The PN assigned the helicopters to its No.111 Squadron.
Of the 10 WS-61s, the PN received seven Commando Mk3s and three Commando Mk2As. The Commando Mk3s are capable of anti-ship warfare (AShW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations. On the other hand, the QEAF had used the Mk2As for transporting soldiers…
Pakistan Navy Inducts First Tughril-Class (Type 054A/P) Frigate
On 24 January 2022, the PN officially commissioned its first Type 054A/P frigate, the PNS Tughril (F-261).
Having ordered the ships in 2017 and 2018, the PN will likely receive all four ships by mid-2023. Currently, the second (PNS Taimur), third, and fourth ships are all undergoing sea trials. Thus far, it seems that each Type 054A/P frigate takes 16 months from launch to commissioning…
Turkey’s Bayraktar Akıncı Secures an Export Order
Turkey’s Baykar Makina announced that it secured an export order for its Bayraktar Akıncı, a twin-engine unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The company said it will deliver the Akıncı in 2023.
With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 6,000 kg, the Akıncı is a large UCAV design. The Akıncı relies on two Motor Sich AI-450T turboprop engines, each providing an output of 560 kW. It offers an endurance of 24 hours and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg split across eight hardpoints. The Akıncı can carry a diverse array of systems and weapons, including radars, electronic support measures (ESM), precision-guided air-to-surface bombs, air-launched cruise missiles, and even air-to-air missiles.
Baykar Makina did not announce the customer. However, the sale is a significant milestone for the drone producer. Not only is the sale a sign that a military is confident in Baykar Makina’s prowess with designing and producing large drones, but it marks a growth point for the company, which had previously leaned on the commercial success of its smaller TB2.
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