Pakistan Maritime Security Agency - PMSA

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93 PMSA SQUADRON

PMSA Britten-Norman Defender aircraft (serial number 08).

With the inception of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, the need of an aviation wing was felt in order to maintain surveillance and to control illegal activities.

First Maritime Surveillance Squadron was inaugurated on 23 June 1988 with the induction of Fokker F27 aircraft as an interim measure, for surveillance at sea. The aircraft was placed at Karachi Airport for the purpose of logistics support and parking area.

Efforts were made to acquire dedicated Maritime Surveillance Aircraft leading to formal establishment of PMSA Air Wing as 93 PMSA Squadron with first Defender Aircraft at PNS Mehran in year 1993.

To provide strength and flexibility in air operation of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, need of another aircraft was felt. Thus in 1994 the second Defender Aircraft was inducted and the third Defender aircraft in 2004.

 

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PMSA Britten-Norman Defender aircraft (serial number 42).


Primary Roles

Aerial Surveillance

Anti-poaching/anti-smuggling

Anti-narcotics/anti-pollution

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Intelligence Gathering

Protection of Fisheries and natural resources within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Training

Secondary Roles

Logistics support for coastal bases

Paradrop operations

Support to customs, coast guards and other agencies operations

Aircraft Capabilities

Area Coverage

Visual 1200 SQ NM/HR with 120 Kts

Radar 4800 SQ NM/HR 120 Kts

Search And Rescue (SAR)

VHF HOMER

Capable of detecting both 121.5 & 243 MHZ for homing purposes on to the vessel in distress

7 Men Search And Rescue Material, for dropping from Defender aircraft, self inflatable and equipped with all necessary equipment for personnel in distress

4 Men life raft, self inflatable for aircraft crew in case of ditching

Survival packs containing eatables

Indigenously developed old canister type casings of smoke markers, converted into food packs. Can be dropped from the aircraft with essential eatables for providing emergency food to personnel in distress.

Sensors Onboard

BENDIX RDR 1400C Wx / Search Radar

Effective Range upto 180 NMs

60 Degree Either Side Scanning

WESCAM FLIR 12 DS

High Performance 4 Axis Gyro Stabilization

Daylight Colour Camera

SLR 200 AIS - Automatic Identification System

Receive and decode transmission from vessels

Ability to Identify Vessels within VHF Range

Aircraft General

Maximum Take Off Weight 7000 lbs

Maximum Landing Weight 6800 lbs

Takeoff run 2000 ft

Landing run 1620 ft

Maximum ceiling (with oxygen) 25000 Ft

Operating speed 125 Kts

Source: https://pmsa.gov.pk/

 

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The tasks assigned to PMSA as per​

• Enforce National and International laws, agreements and conventions in the Maritime Zones.
• Prevent unauthorized exploitation of economic resources within the Maritime Zones.
• Protect Pakistani fishing vessels and crew against any threat within the Maritime Zones.
• Assist and co-ordinate Search & Rescue of the vessels, property and lives in distress at sea.
• Assist and coordinate with national and international agencies to prevent and control the effects of marine disasters including pollution.
• Assist and co-ordinate with national and International agencies in hydrographic and oceanographic research and other scientific activities.
• Assist other departments and agencies in safeguarding and protecting offshore installations/structures in the EEZ.
• Provide assistance for petroleum and other mineral exploration in our Maritime zones.
• Co-operate with and provide help to other departments and agencies at sea in the discharge of their duties and functions.
• Perform such other functions as may be assigned by Govt to protect maritime interests of Pakistan.

 

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Protection of EEZ Resources​

• Home
• Operations
• Protection Of EEZ Resources

Pakistan’s EEZ is enormously rich; both in living and non-living resources. Efforts are in hand at various levels to explore, exploit and benefit from these resources. It is PMSA’s one of the primary responsibilities to protect these resources against unauthorized exploitation by other countries.

For this purpose, aircraft and corvettes of PMSA are extensively used to carry out patrolling and surveillance of EEZ. Prior to the establishment of PMSA, fishing boats and trawlers of neighbouring countries had been involved in illegal fishing on a large scale in the region adjacent to Indus delta, causing a huge loss to national exchequer.

PMSA, since inception, has been striving hard to keep this zone under effective surveillance to ensure protection of our resources. PMSA has been successful in curbing these illegal fishing activities to a large extent..

 

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Operations​

PMSA conduct Search and Rescue (SAR), Marine Pollution Control, Anti-Poaching, Anti-Smuggling and Drug Trafficking operations with regular patrolling and surveillance of Pakistan EEZ.

 

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Smuggling of human beings is not a new phenomenon. PMSA is asserting all possible efforts to eliminate human smuggling through sea routes with a view to contribute our bit towards strengthening global efforts against this menace.

 

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Over 20,000 small fishing boats of various types operate in Pakistan’s EEZ and along Sindh and Balouchistan Coast throughout the year. Besides the inherent dangers of rough weather and natural hazards of high seas, the fishermen were also harassed and captured by law enforcement agencies of neighbouring countries.

PMSA has been instrumental in providing protection to these fishermen and plays a vital role in providing assistance to fishermen in distress. It is also ensured that fishermen proceeding to sea are in possession of life saving equipment and each crew member is recorded to ensure their security.