KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy has inducted its third state-of-the-art Regional Air Transport (ATR) aircraft and Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial System into its fleet to augment effectiveness and enhance its operational flexibility and reach.

An induction ceremony was held at PNS Mehran on Wednesday. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah was the chief guest.

He said that the Pakistan Navy Air Arm had come a long way since its inception in the early 1970s. The induction of ATR aircraft is part of the PN Aviation Vision 2030.

He said that complex and fluid maritime environment in the region required the navy to shoulder more challenging tasks related to maritime security, besides maintaining combat readiness against traditional threats. In this regard aviation is an indispensable component of the fleet for all envisaged tasks.

ATR aircraft are modern and widely operated turboprop platforms equipped with state-of-the-art Traffic Collision Avoidance System, auto pilot and high-efficiency six-bladed propellers. The average ground speed of the aircraft is 250 knots with an endurance of about six hours. The addition of ATR aircraft to the PN aviation fleet is a giant leap forward in accelerating the capabilities of the Naval Air Arm, which will provide a low-cost solution to maritime operations.

The naval chief said that the induction of the Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial System into the naval fleet was yet another major transformation in terms of acquisition of new capabilities. It will start a new era in the PN’s operational capability by enhancing its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The unmanned aerial vehicles can monitor the entire coastline, including creeks area, round the clock.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2016