This is a continuation of Quwa’s series, the Pakistan Navy Rises.
In part-two, we highlight the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) plans to procure new aviation assets.
In an interview, the Navy’s Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi outlined that the PN intends to modernize across the board. New surface combatants and submarines are in the procurement pipeline, but details are beginning to emerge about aviation and support.
Aviation
Confirming earlier reports, the CNS had stated that the PN wishes to procure a new long-range maritime patrol aircraft (LRMP). The CNS termed the P-3C as a LRMP, but the newly inducted ATR-72 as a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) – i.e. two different categories of aircraft.
In other words, additional ATR-72 MPAs are unlikely to be on the roadmap to supplant the P-3C, a new or different aircraft platform will be sought. However, few specifics are available about the intended type or configuration of the new LRMP, though one can imagine that Pakistan will value relative affordability.
The Saab Swordfish cannot be a factor as Saab has opted to stop marketing the platform. However, many of the Swordfish’s subsystems, including its main radar, electronic support measures (ESM), electro-optic and infrared (EO/IR) turret, are commercially-off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions.
In theory, Pakistan can look into a bespoke solution using a platform of its choice with those COTS systems. In fact, the PN’s ATR-72 MPA already uses the same radar, ESM, and EO/IR as the Swordfish; the challenge would be finding a larger and longer-ranged platform as well as compatible munitions
In this respect, Pakistan might have three major opportunities.
First, the LRMP necessitates a new special mission aircraft platform. The PN could look at pairing its needs with those of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and/or the Pakistan Army (PA).
The PAF’s Dassault Falco DA20-based electronic warfare (EW) aircraft are aging. The PN and PAF could use the same special mission aircraft platform for LRMP and EW needs, respectively. Likewise, the PA can add another ground surveillance aircraft (via a ground-facing synthetic aperture radar).
Don't Stop Here. Unlock the Rest of this Analysis Immediately
To read the rest of this deep dive -- including the honest assessments and comparative analyses that Quwa Plus members rely on -- you need access.
