Pak Navy’s Weakest Link: Aging Helicopters, What are the Options?

[Yasser76]

It's best not to consider Z-20F, as its production is too low. China still has a large number of already in service 075, 052D and 054B waiting in line. Choosing Z-20F means choosing to wait for a long time.

I think a mixed buy. Small number of Z-20s, even if we have tom wait in line or China can do us a favour and spare 6 from production line early on. These can equip PN 054A as we only have 4 of these and they can comfortably hold Z-20 size.

Buy Marinised AW-139 for smaller western vessels (MILGEM, Jinnah, Yarmook) and to equip PNS Mowain. So maybe a buy of 14-16 here

 

[Par 5]

I think a mixed buy. Small number of Z-20s, even if we have tom wait in line or China can do us a favour and spare 6 from production line early on. These can equip PN 054A as we only have 4 of these and they can comfortably hold Z-20 size.

Buy Marinised AW-139 for smaller western vessels (MILGEM, Jinnah, Yarmook) and to equip PNS Mowain. So maybe a buy of 14-16 here

PN is currently going after 2 pre-owned H125 Airbus Helicopters keeping in view the supportability in Pakistan with the uints used by Pakistan Army

 

[ThoroughPro]

Marine heli's don't really add any offensive capability. Drones are much cheaper and safer to acquire and operate, offer longer ranges and time on station with stealthier / low observable/targetable assets and higher payload capacity.

 

[Yasser76]

Marine heli's don't really add any offensive capability. Drones are much cheaper and safer to acquire and operate, offer longer ranges and time on station with stealthier / low observable/targetable assets and higher payload capacity.

Drones can do much , you are right, but the larger ones require a carrier and even the helidrones from smaller ships have limited payload and range

It is the utility of helis and ther multi role capability.

From smaller ships it is hard to launch a large UAV/UCAV. Helis give you a lot of flexibility. Lets remember 99% of the time PN ships will not be engaged in conventional warfare.

Roles such as

1) Shipboard supply and personnel delivery/replenishment at sea
2) Special Forces deployment
3) Anti-Piracy
4) SAR
5) Humanitarian rescue

All of the above is what PN spends the majority of it''s time on. The anti-sub and anti-ship roles will also naturally be covered off by the choppers much better then a small drone too