Pakistan Navy Chief Outlines Aviation Modernization Plans Plus

The Pakistan Navy (PN) Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, outlined in an interview that the PN is working to acquire long-range maritime patrol aircraft (LRMPA), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and multi-mission helicopters.[1] The CNS did not reveal the status of any of these programs, or the expected procurement timeline. However, the PN rarely seems to comment on potential acquisitions prior to signing a contract or starting a project. Thus, all three programs are likely active at this stage.

Supporting New Surface Warships With Helicopters

The PN currently has four Type 054A/P frigates, four MILGEM corvettes, and two Yarmouk-class corvettes on order. The PN is aiming to procure its 10 new ships by the mid-2020s, which will join its four Zulfiquar-class/F-22P frigates and, likely, replace its three remaining Babur-class/Type-21 frigates.

However, in terms of shipborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters that can operate from ships in the 2,000-ton to 4,000-ton displacement range, the PN relies on only six Z-9ECs.[2] These currently operate with the PN’s four F-22P frigates. Thus, the PN will need additional ASW helicopters to support its 10 new ships, which could necessitate 10-14 new aircraft. However, the PN could also look to supplant its legacy Alouette III, which could see a scope of an additional four to six similarly sized helicopters.

For the PN, the benchmark for an optimal ASW helicopter is likely the UH-60, which it originally sought in the late 2000s alongside six FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry (OHP)-class frigates from the US. However, getting any of the Black Hawk-variants is untenable for multiple reasons.