Pakistani Navy Plans to Procure U.S. P-3 Maritime Aircraft

Sea Power, Oct 2004

Pakistani Navy (PN) Chief Adm. Shahid Karimullah stated Aug. 5 that he was "hopeful about acquiring additional Lockheed P-3C Orion long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) for the Pakistani fleet." Along with acquiring additional units, Adm. Karimullah is seeking the acquisition of spare parts for the two P-3C Orion Update II.75 aircraft currently in the Pakistani inventory.

This announcement came after a 10-day visit to the United States by Karimullah in late July. Although it is uncertain exactly how many P-3C Orions the PN is trying to obtain, the sea service is attempting to replace its three aging Breguet Atlantique 1 aircraft. It also is looking to expand its overall fleet of long-range maritime patrol aircraft, requiring around six total aircraft from the United States to supplement the two already in service, for a total fleet of eight.

The PN had previously ordered three P-3C Orions from the U.S. in 1991. However, delivery was held up until 1996. One of the aircraft crashed in October 1999, leaving the sea service with only two P-3s in its inventory.

As part of the deal, the PN will also request modernization packages for its existing inventory of two P-3 Orion Update II.75 aircraft that have not been modernized since delivery.