Pakistan Navy Aviation

[Quwa]

Still amazed considering how many new ships PN is inducting/about to induct (Barbur, Yarmook, Jinnah, 054A) we have STILL not got replacement for Aloutte and Sea Kings (bar a few Z-9s that are in use for F-22 Frigates). This should be a major priority above anything else. Aloutte and Sea Kings will soon become death traps and life expires, Z-9 simplhy not cutting edge for AShw/ASW warfare.

PN had liked the S-70/UH-60 the most - good price, proven capability. There was a plan to start procuring them alongside the OHPs, but it fell through. More recently, the PAF looked at the S-70 for its CSAR requirements, but Congress blocking FMF/CSF use on the F-16s prompted the PAF to select the AW139M instead. The AShW and ASW config of the UH-60 isn't available to the PN.

The PN was interested in the NH-90NFH and MTH. Yes, the platform has its technical problems, but the French and Germans are fully committed to the platform. Moreover, Airbus showed that its upcoming blocks would be much better in terms of serviceability and support. But it was the costliest option for the PN.

The last route was the AW159 and AW101 combination, which Leonardo pushed (with tacit UK support). However, if it could spend on a Western platform, the PN would prefer to spend on one that could support all of its shipborne operations, hence the preference for a S-70/UH-60 or NH-90 type of platform.

Thus, if I had to guess, the PN is probably interested in the Chinese Z-20.

 

[Yasser76]

Yes, Naval S-70, from Turkey would have been best, but failing that I think AW159 is best fit.
It right size for Barbur/Yarmook class and size matters on these ships, also it can interact with the western systems on them. Z-20 may be a tad too large and full of Chinese systems. In fact after the PAF/PA AW139 buys and the good relationship we have with the Italians in general I am expecting a Wildcat buy to be announced at some point. Very soon we will be in the situation of Barbur and Yarmook ships patrolling the Ocean with no on board choppers.....

 

[Quwa]

Yes, Naval S-70, from Turkey would have been best, but failing that I think AW159 is best fit.
It right size for Barbur/Yarmook class and size matters on these ships, also it can interact with the western systems on them. Z-20 may be a tad too large and full of Chinese systems. In fact after the PAF/PA AW139 buys and the good relationship we have with the Italians in general I am expecting a Wildcat buy to be announced at some point. Very soon we will be in the situation of Barbur and Yarmook ships patrolling the Ocean with no on board choppers.....

Yep, the AW159 is plausible, quite plausible in fact. The PN would've already signed for it had the PAA T129 deal gone through as they share the same engine (hence some commonality).

But at a unit cost of around $50-60 million all-in, the AW159 is within means; e.g., 24 would cost $1.2 bn, which the PN can cover over an 8-10-year period. This would support the PN's "20-plus" major surface vessel fleet.

Ideally, it would also be able to add 12 AW101s to replace the Sea Kings for long-range SAR, AShW, ASW, SOF, and Marines operations. Granted, this package would be costly ($1 billion-plus), but the PN could approach it in small batches of 3-4 over the long term.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Alouette from a different angle...!

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

..

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Aloutte ??? Still using it

Should just order 18 Z-9 like Chopper and be done with it

 

[Quwa]

Aloutte ??? Still using it

Should just order 18 Z-9 like Chopper and be done with it

It depends if you're getting the requisite capabilities, not just for the time being, but the next 15-20 years, if not longer. By this point, the standard shipborne ASW/AShW helicopter of the PN will have a proper maritime search radar with SAR/GMTI, over-the-horizon targeting, and weapons integration with LWTs and ASCM (at least a 100-200 kg one). Few helicopters already have this configuration, among them the AW159.

OTOH, when it comes to supplanting the Allouette III's SAR and utility functions, one plausible route may be the Leonardo AW139. The PAF and PAA have already procured it to replace their respective Alouette IIIs.

 

[GriffinsRule]

View attachment 8371
Pakistan Naval Air Arm

5 Z-9s? Did one crash?

 

[Fatman17]

Pakistan Naval Aviation
Type
Special mission
ATR 72 (MPA) 4
Hawker 850 (Recce) 1
P-3C (MPA) 6
Combat helicopter
Mi-14 2
SA316/319 9
Sea King 45/HAR3/HC4 19
Z-9 5
Source: Flight Global Air Forces 2024

 

[ghazi52]

 

[Qureshi]

Still amazed considering how many new ships PN is inducting/about to induct (Barbur, Yarmook, Jinnah, 054A) we have STILL not got replacement for Aloutte and Sea Kings (bar a few Z-9s that are in use for F-22 Frigates). This should be a major priority above anything else. Aloutte and Sea Kings will soon become death traps and life expires, Z-9 simplhy not cutting edge for AShw/ASW warfare.

Choppers are typically assigned to ships that are performing operational responsibilities, but certainly, this is now the most overlooked part of PN.

 

[Qureshi]

Yep, the AW159 is plausible, quite plausible in fact. The PN would've already signed for it had the PAA T129 deal gone through as they share the same engine (hence some commonality).

But at a unit cost of around $50-60 million all-in, the AW159 is within means; e.g., 24 would cost $1.2 bn, which the PN can cover over an 8-10-year period. This would support the PN's "20-plus" major surface vessel fleet.

Ideally, it would also be able to add 12 AW101s to replace the Sea Kings for long-range SAR, AShW, ASW, SOF, and Marines operations. Granted, this package would be costly ($1 billion-plus), but the PN could approach it in small batches of 3-4 over the long term.

It depends if you're getting the requisite capabilities, not just for the time being, but the next 15-20 years, if not longer. By this point, the standard shipborne ASW/AShW helicopter of the PN will have a proper maritime search radar with SAR/GMTI, over-the-horizon targeting, and weapons integration with LWTs and ASCM (at least a 100-200 kg one). Few helicopters already have this configuration, among them the AW159.

OTOH, when it comes to supplanting the Allouette III's SAR and utility functions, one plausible route may be the Leonardo AW139. The PAF and PAA have already procured it to replace their respective Alouette IIIs.

With the fleet expected to grow to about 24 ships in the foreseeable future, the AW159 wildcat appears to be the most practical choice with the following features:

• Price tag, enable PN to induct in numbers.
• Commonality of same platform as PAA & PAF using AW139s, will complement & ease up maintenance cost & hiccups .
• Having multi tasking, can perform SAR/ASW/AShW roles will boost the operational capabilities.
• Perfect in size which will enable to be accommodated on all PN FFGs & OPVs.