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

 

[studsmart]

Based on my analysis, we need 20 medium-weight ASW/ASuW marine helicopters and 20 heavy-weight ASW/ASuW marine helicopters. These choppers should be multirole and able to support Pak marines and transport needs.

 

[TOPGUN]

So what are our choices if any ?

 

[Michael]

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.

The Pakistan Navy’s Type 054A/P frigates do not currently support the Z-20J/F series of ship-based helicopters; they would require a return to the shipyard for modifications before they could accommodate them.

 

[Yasser76]

The Pakistan Navy’s Type 054A/P frigates do not currently support the Z-20J/F series of ship-based helicopters; they would require a return to the shipyard for modifications before they could accommodate them.

Says differently here

 

[Michael]

Says differently here

View attachment 222490

Your information and my information do not conflict.

The Type 054A frigate series currently consists of six production batches, with the sixth batch currently in production.

Beginning with the fifth production batch, these frigates gained the capability to support the takeoff and landing operations of Z-20J/F shipborne helicopters. The earlier batches—from the first to the fourth—do not possess this capability; they are only equipped to support the Z-9 series of shipborne helicopters. ------ The fifth production batch of Type 054A frigates is also referred to as the Type 054AG.

The Type 054A/P frigates operated by the Pakistan Navy are based on the core technology of the third and fourth production batches of China’s Type 054A frigates, but have been extensively customized to meet the specific requirements of the Pakistani Navy. It does not directly support the take-off and landing operations of the Z-20J/F shipborne helicopter.

Should the Pakistan Navy have such a requirement, these Type 054A/P frigates would need to return to a Chinese shipyard for refitting.

In reality, such a modification is virtually impossible. The rotor diameter of the Z-20J/F shipborne helicopter is nearly 4 meters larger than that of the Z-9 series, and its airframe is also significantly taller. This means that for earlier versions of the Type 054A frigate, it would be necessary to modify the hangar, expand the flight deck, and replace the landing/recovery system. This would amount to a massive, invasive overhaul—essentially gutting the entire warship. ------It's better to just buy a new one.