Pakistan Naval Air Arm

Military Unit

Pakistan Naval Air Arm

Patch of the Pakistan Naval Air Arm

Founded| 9 December 1971; 53 years ago (1971-12-09)
Country|  Pakistan
Branch|  Pakistan Navy
Type| Naval aviation and Combat service support
Role| Administrative and staffing oversight.
Size| 5,000 personnel, 85 aircraft
HQ/Garrison| PNS Mehran in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Nickname(s)| Air Arm
Motto(s)| Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
Colors| Blue and White

Anniversaries| Navy Day: 8 September
Engagements|

See list

* Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Indo-Pakistani War of 1999
* Atlantique incident in 1999
Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts
* Indo-Pakistani standoff in 2001
* Indo-Pakistani standoff in 2008
* Indo-Pakistan skirmishes in 2016
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
War on Terror
* War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
* OEF – Horn of Africa
* War in North-West Pakistan
* 2010 Pakistan Floods
* Operation Madad
* Pakistan Armed Forces deployments in Saudi Arabia
Afghanistan–Pakistan clashes (2024–present)

Website| Website
Commanders
Commander Naval Aviation
(COMNAV)| Cdre Saleem Nasir SI(M)
Insignia
Roundel|
Fin Flash|
Aircraft flown
Helicopter| Harbin Z-9, Alouette III, Westland Sea King
Patrol| P-3C Orion, ATR P-72 ASW, Embraer Lineage
Reconnaissance| GIDS Uqab, Hawker 850XL, EMT Luna X-2000

Military unit

The Pakistan Naval Air Arm (unofficially: Pakistan Naval Aviation) is the naval aviation and military administrative branch of the Pakistan Navy.[1]

The air arm is tasked with providing configuration of all naval aviation aircraft and is responsible for conducting the land-based strike capability, fleet air defense, evacuation and extraction, search and rescue, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.[2]

The Commander Naval Aviation (COMNAV) command is usually held by a one-star ranking officer at Commodore rank who directs the field operations of the naval aviation.

## History

[edit]

### Establishment

[edit]

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

After the second war with India in 1965, the concept of establishing the navy-based aviation service was conceived by the Pakistan Navy who forwarded the idea to the Government of Pakistan as part of the war strategy to sustain the purely defence of nation's maritime interests.: 63–66 [3]

The Navy had been long aware of the usefulness and tactical advantages of the air-wing after witnessing the United States Naval Aviators' actions in the Vietnam War, and V-Adm. Muzaffar Hassan, the Navy Commander, had made attempts to establish naval aviation but this was impossible to achieve in the absence of generous support from outside sources.: 213 [4][5]

Furthermore, strong objections came from Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan, the Air Commander, who had been very hostile towards any idea of modernizing the navy and loath to risk its precious aircraft in over-the-water operations.: 63 [6] The lack of funds and donations from the United States Navy meant the concept never materialized though the Navy entered into talks with the United States Government to effect the transferring of three to four Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft before the third war with India in 1971.[6]

After the first missile attack in Karachi in 1971, the Navy hastily established the naval air arm by leasing a civilian aircraft, the Fokker F27, from the Pakistan International Airlines whose pilots volunteered to carry the naval observers on a maritime reconnaissance on 6 December 1971.[7] Cdre. A. W. Bhomba, the senior forward observer, mistakenly identified his own ship, PNS Zulfiqar forming defences at that time, and gave clearance to the Pakistan Air Force to carry out a bombing mission to target the ship – a friendly fire incident that further hampered Navy's operational scope.[7]

After the third war with India in 1971, the Air Arm continued and was able to induct Sea King helicopters from the United Kingdom through transfers from the Royal Navy on 28 September 1974– leading to the establishment of the 111 ASW Squadron in the Naval Aviation.[8] The first naval air station, PNS Mehran, was inaugurated in Karachi, in the vicinity of the Faisal Air Force Base, on 26 September 1975.: 155–156 [9]

Early in its inception the Naval Air Arm was dependent upon the Air Force and the Army to meet its training requirement of air and ground crew.[1]

### Atlantique Incident

[edit]

Main article: Atlantique Incident

The Atlantique Incident was a major international incident that occurred on 10 August 1999 when a Pakistan Naval Air Arm patrol aircraft—a Breguet Atlantique with 16 personnel on board—was shot down in the border area of the Kutch region by Indian Air Force jets. Pakistan and India both claimed the aircraft to be in their respective airspace.

Some experts stated that the Atlantique was probably conducting a "probe" on India's air defence system, mainly the radar equipment in the border area; however, they advised that it was not part of any planned aggressive military action by Pakistan.[10] Foreign diplomats who visited the crash site noted that the plane "may have strayed into restricted space", and that Islamabad was unable to explain why it was flying so close to the border; they however added that India's reaction to the incident was not justified.[11] Many countries, the G8, the permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as the western media questioned the wisdom behind Pakistan's decision to fly military aircraft so close to the Indian border.[12]

On 21 September 1999, Pakistan lodged a compensation claim at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing India of shooting down an unarmed aircraft. Pakistan sought about US$60 million in reparations from India and compensation for the victims' families. India's attorney general, Soli Sorabjee, argued that the court did not have jurisdiction,[13] citing an exemption it filed in 1974 to exclude disputes between India and other Commonwealth States, and disputes covered by multi-lateral treaties.

On 21 June 2000, the 16-judge Bench headed by Gilbert Guillaume of France ruled—with a 14–2 verdict—upholding India's submission that the court had no jurisdiction in this matter.[14][15] Pakistan's claims were dropped, without recourse to appeal, and the outcome was seen as a decision highly favorable to India.[16][17] The Pakistan government had spent close to 25 million Pakistani rupees (approx. $400,000) on the case.[18]

### PNS Mehran Attack

[edit]

On 22 May 2011, Tehreek-i-Taliban militants attacked PNS Mehran air station and killed 18 Navy Personnel while 16 were injured. 2 P-3C Orion aircraft were also destroyed in the attack.[19]

## Organization

[edit]

### Squadrons

[edit]

#### Rotary-wing

[edit]

* 111 Squadron (ASW, ASuW, SAR)

Established on 17 January 1982, the 111 ASW Squadron, which consists of the Sea King helicopters, is primarily programmed for missile launch capability targeting dived submarines and releasing depth charges.[8][20][21]

* 222 Squadron (ASW)

With the acquisition of Tariq-class destroyers from the Royal Navy, the Navy was additionally able to acquire three Westland Lynx utility helicopters which were inducted into the 222 ASW Squadron.[22] They were later retired in 2003.[23]

In 2006, the Navy re-equipped the 222 ASW squadron by introducing the Harbin Z-9 helicopters which are equipped with sensors and radars to support the F-22P class frigates.[24][8][20][21]

* 333 Squadron (ASW)

In 1977, the 333 ASW squadron was established with the induction of the Aérospatiale Alouette II and the Alouette III rotary aircraft, for which the first group of naval aviators were trained in France.[25][8][20][21]

#### Fixed-wing

[edit]

* 27 Squadron (ASW)

In 1982, the 27 ASW Squadron was established with the induction of the Fokker F-27 aircraft. All of its Fokker F-27 aircraft were retired on 21 January 2020 in an impressive phasing out ceremony.[26]

* 28 ASW Squadron (ASW, ASuW)

28 ASW squadron was formed by the acquisition of P-3C Orion aircraft in 1996 after a long delay due to the imposition of the Pressler Amendment in 1990.[6] The P-3C Orion gave the Navy strike capability but one of these planes was lost due to an accident while carrying out routine exercises in local coastal waters on 29 October 1999.[27]

* 29 ASW Squadron (ASW, EW)

In 1973, the Navy entered into talks with France to acquire the Breguet Atlantic aircraft for its patrolling missions,[28] and acquired them on 14 August 1976, that established the 29 ASW Atlantic Squadron and is tasked with maritime reconnaissance missions.[29] A single Hawker 850XP was also inducted in Aug 2010 for IW/EW.[30]

After the retirement of the Breguet Atlantic aircraft from service [31] the squadron has been re-equipped with ATR-72 turboprop airliners upgraded into two variants, the RAS-72 Sea Eagle for Maritime Patrol / ASW [32][33] and other variant being utilized in transport role.

* 47 UAV Squadron (ISR)

47 UAV squadron consists of GIDS Uqab UAVs used for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).[34]

### Naval Air Stations

[edit]

* Pakistan Naval Air Station PNS Mehran, Karachi [20]
* Pakistan Naval Air Station PNS Makran, Pasni [35]
* Naval Air Station PNS Siddique, Turbat [35]
* Naval Air Station PNS Ahsan, Ormara [36][37]

## Aircraft

[edit]

Main article: List of aircraft of the Pakistan Naval Air Arm

## Gallery

[edit]

* A Pakistan Navy Orion on takeoff

* A Pakistani Westland Sea King

* ATR 72-500MPA of Pakistan Navy

* Pakistan Naval Air Arm Alouette III No 36 aboard PNS Tippu Sultan (D185) at the International Festival of the Sea 2005, Portsmouth, UK

## See also

[edit]

* Pakistan Army Aviation Corps
* List of active Pakistan Navy ships

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Pakistan Navy Official Website". www.paknavy.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 4 July 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
2. ^ John Pike (1 January 1987). "Pakistan". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
3. ^ Goldrick, James (1997). No Easy Answers. New Delhi, India: Lancer's Publications and Distributors. pp. 63/65/66. ISBN 1-897829-02-7.
4. ^ Tahir-Kheli, Shirin; Neuman, Stephanie G . (1984). "§Defense Planning in Pakistan". In Neuman, Stephanie G . (ed.). Defense Planning in Less Industrialised States: The Middle East and South Asia (1st ed.). Massachusetts, U.S.: Lexington Book, Co.§Defense+Planning+in+Pakistan&rft.btitle=Defense+Planning+in+Less+Industrialised+States:+The+Middle+East+and+South+Asia&rft.place=Massachusetts,+U.S.&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Lexington+Book,+Co.&rft.date=1984&rft.aulast=Tahir-Kheli&rft.aufirst=Shirin&rft.au=Neuman,+Stephanie+G+.&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Pakistan+Naval+Air+Arm" class="Z3988">
5. ^ See Mountbatten to Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir William Dickson (Chief of Defence Staff) . Undated letter but probably late February 1959 and written in response to Dickson's letter
6. ^ a b c Goldrick, RAN, Rear-Admiral James (1996). "§(Towards a Submarine Arm: 1966-1971)". No Easy Answers: The Development of the Navies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka 1945—1996 (PDF) (1st ed.). London, UK: Spantech and Lancers. p. 270\. ISBN 1897829027. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2018.§(Towards+a+Submarine+Arm:+1966-1971)&rft.btitle=No+Easy+Answers:+The+Development+of+the+Navies+of+India,+Pakistan,+Bangladesh+and+Sri+Lanka+1945—1996&rft.place=London,+UK&rft.pages=270&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Spantech+and+Lancers&rft.date=1996&rft.isbn=1897829027&rft.aulast=Goldrick,+RAN&rft.aufirst=Rear-Admiral+James&rft_id=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/PIAMA02.pdf&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Pakistan+Naval+Air+Arm" class="Z3988">
7. ^ a b "Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi". Archived from the original on 26 September 2009.
8. ^ a b c d "111 PNAS". www.paknavy.gov.pk. 111 PNAS. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
9. ^ USA, IBP (2009). "§(The Pakistan Navy)". Pakistan Intelligence, Security Activities and Operations Handbook (googlebooks). Lulu.com. p. 230\. ISBN 9781438737218. Retrieved 26 December 2018.§(The+Pakistan+Navy)&rft.btitle=Pakistan+Intelligence,+Security+Activities+and+Operations+Handbook&rft.pages=230&rft.pub=Lulu.com&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=9781438737218&rft.aulast=USA&rft.aufirst=IBP&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYqnBQAAQBAJ&q;=pakistan+naval+air+arm&pg;=PA155&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Pakistan+Naval+Air+Arm" class="Z3988">
10. ^ "Pakistan Attacks Indian Aircraft". Globalpolicy.org. 12 August 1999. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
11. ^ "South Asia | Pakistani plane 'may have crossed border'". BBC News. 13 August 1999. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
12. ^ "Islamabad's Post-Kargil Challenges". Defencejournal.com. 6 April 1999. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
13. ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – World". Tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
14. ^ "Cour internationale de Justice | International Court of Justice". Icj-cij.org. Archived from the original on 15 October 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
15. ^ "Case Concerning the Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999" (PDF). www.icj. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
16. ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News". Tribuneindia.com. 22 June 2000. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
17. ^ "SOUTH ASIA | World court blow for Pakistan". BBC News. 21 June 2000. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
18. ^ "Govt comments sought in Atlantique case – Newspaper". Dawn.Com. 17 July 2002. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
19. ^ Waldron, Greg (23 May 2011). "Taliban destroy two Pakistan navy P-3Cs". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
20. ^ a b c d "Pakistan Navy Official Website". www.paknavy.gov.pk. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
21. ^ a b c "Scramble". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
22. ^ Shabbir, Usman. "Westland Lynx HAS 3". PakDef Military Consortium. Archived from the original on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
23. ^ "Lynx Helicopters Available for Sale - History of PIA - Forum". historyofpia.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
24. ^ "222 ASW Squadron". www.paknavy.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
25. ^ "333 ASW squadron". www.paknavy.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
26. ^ "Pakistan Navy Bids Farewell to Fokker F27 - History of PIA - Forum". historyofpia.com. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
27. ^ Anwar, Muhammad (2006). Stolen Stripes and Broken Medals: Autobiography of a Senior Naval Officer. AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781425900205. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
28. ^ Mr Bhutto in at Large. Indian National Congress. All India Congress Committee. 4 August 1973. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
29. ^ "29 ASW Squadron (Atlantic)". www.paknavy.gov.pk. 29 ASW Squadron (Atlantic). Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
30. ^ "Pakistan Navy Official Website". www.paknavy.gov.pk. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
31. ^ "Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft - History of PIA - Forum". historyofpia.com. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
32. ^ Team, Quwa (5 July 2020). "ATR-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)". Quwa. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
33. ^ Hemanth (10 July 2019). "RAS delivers second RAS 72 Sea Eagle aircraft to Pakistan Navy". Naval Technology. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
34. ^ "Orbats". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
35. ^ a b "Understanding the Western Coast of Pakistan". Maritime Study Forum. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
36. ^ "Ground Breaking of new Runway at Naval Air Station Ormara". Pakistan Defence. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
37. ^ Techie (13 November 2020). "CNS Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi Visited Strategic Naval Installations At Gwadar And Ormara". PAKDEFENSE. Retrieved 9 December 2023.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aircraft of the Pakistan Navy.

* Naval Air Arm
* Pakistan Naval Aviation (Pakistan), Military census

* v
* t
* e

Pakistan Naval Air Arm (PNAA)

Organization|

| Leadership|

* CNS
* COMNAV
* CO

|

Institutions|

* Naval Aviation Training School (NATS)
* Air Engineering
* PNA

Naval Air Stations|

* PNS Ahsan
* PNS Makran
* PNS Mehran
* PNS Siddique

Squadrons|

| Aircraft|

* 27 Squadron
* 28 Squadron
* 29 Squadron

|

Rotorcraft|

* 111 Squadron
* 222 Squadron
* 333 Squadron

Unmanned|

* 47 Squadron

Equipment|

* List of aircraft of the Pakistan Naval Air Arm

Related|

* 1999 Pakistani Breguet 1150 Atlantic shootdown
* PNS Mehran attack
* 2016–2018 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* 2020–21 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
* Attack on PNS Siddique

* v
* t
* e

Pakistan Navy

Leadership|

* Commander-in-Chief
* President of Pakistan
* Chief Executive
* Prime Minister of Pakistan
* Parliament
* Senate Committee on Defence
* National Assembly Committee on Defence
* Cabinet Committee on National Security

| Ministries|

* Defence
* Secretary
* Defence Production

|

Naval Headquarters|

* Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
* Chief of Naval Staff
* Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
* Commander of Fleet
* Commander Central Punjab
* Flag Officer Sea Training
* Assistant Chiefs of the Naval Staff
* Serving Admirals

Commands|

* Coastal Command
* Northern Command
* Western Command
* Navy Strategic Forces
* Surface Fleet
* Submarine Force
* Logistics Command
* Navy Special Service Group
* Marines

Administrative arms|

| Bases|

* Karachi
* Jinnah
* Kalmat
* Zafar
* Ahsan
* Akram
* Hameed
* Iqbal
* Mehran
* Marines
* Manora
* Qasim
* Sir Creek

|

Branches|

* Air Arm
* Band
* Hydrography
* Judge Advocate General
* Naval Intelligence
* Naval Police
* Maritime Security Agency
* Nursing Service
* Ordnance

Medical|

* Darmaan Jah
* Rahat
* Shifa
* Hafeez

Affiliated
organisations|

| Bahria Foundation|

* Bahria Maritime Works Organization
* Bahria Schools and Colleges

|

Defence Industry|

* Martime Technologies Complex
* Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works

Sports|

* Navy Cricket
* Navy F.C.

Ports|

* Port Qasim
* Karachi Port Trust
* Gwadar Port

Education
and
Training|

| Service training|

* Pakistan Naval Academy
* Bootcamp Himalaya
* Pakistan Marine Academy

|

Bahria University|

* Bahria College Islamabad

National Defence University|

* Naval War College

National University of
Sciences and Technology|

* College of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
* Military College of Engineering
* Military College of Signals
* Pakistan Navy Engineering College
* College of Aeronautical Engineering

Training formations|

* School of Infantry and Tactics
* School of Logistics and Management
* Naval Warfare School
* Technical School

Preparatory colleges|

* Cadet College Ormara
* Cadet College Petaro

Literature and culture|

| Books|

* Military Inc.
* A Case of Exploding Mangoes
* Crossed Swords
* In the Line of Fire

|

Films|

* Ghazi Shaheed
* Hangor S-131

Related|

* Equipment
* Warships
* Aircraft
* Maritime Museum
* Awards and decorations
* Women in the Pakistan Armed Forces
* Criticism of the Pakistan Armed Forces
* The Establishment (Pakistan)

Category:Pakistan Navy

* v
* t
* e

Pakistan Armed Forces

Military history of Pakistan

Leadership|

* Commander-in-Chief
* President of Pakistan
* Chief Executive
* Prime Minister of Pakistan
* Parliament
* Senate Committee on Defence
* National Assembly Committee on Defence
* Cabinet Committee on National Security
* National Security Council

| Ministers|

* Defence
* Secretary
* Defence Production

|

Joint Chiefs of Staff|

* Chairman
* Chief of Army Staff
* Chief of Air Staff
* Chief of Naval Staff

Services|

* Army
* Navy
* Marines
* Air Force

| Inter-Services|

* Intelligence
* Public Relations
* Selection Board
* National Command Authority
* Nursing Service
* Armed Forces Band

|

Paramilitary|

* Civil Armed Forces
* National Guard
* Strategic Plans Division Force

Personnel|

* Awards and decorations
* Women

| Ranks and insignia|

* Army
* Navy
* Marines
* Air Force

|

Business interests|

* Pakistani Defence Industry
* Defence Housing Authority

| Foundations|

* Fauji (Joint)
* Askari (Army)
* Bahria (Navy)
* Shaheen (Air Force)

|

Criticism|

* Establishment
* Gang of Four
* Bangladesh genocide

Categories (Army • Air Force • Navy)
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template