ISLAMABAD, May 7: Pakistan Navy has placed with the US an order for eight P3-C Orion aircraft, six Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems and at least 60 Harpoon Missiles worth a total package of $1.3 billion. According to sources, the Pentagon has notified the sale of the aircraft and equipment to the US Congress which is expected to approve it within next thirty days.

When asked if the payments would be made from the country’s defence budget, an official said the deal would be paid from the US military assistance for Pakistan. According to the official, the eight P-3C aircraft with T-56 engines and associated equipment and services will cost $970 million.

The aircraft will help Pakistan Navy develop a long-needed fleet of maritime and border surveillance aircraft. It will add a punch to the navy’s search surveillance and control capability in support of maritime interdiction operations and increase its ability to support the US enduring freedom operations besides adding to the anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare capabilities and a control capability over land against trans-national terrorists and narcotics smugglers.

The command-and-control capabilities of the P3-C aircraft will help improve Pakistan’s ability to restrict littoral movement of terrorists along its southern border and ensure the country’s overall ability to maintain integrity of its borders. The US has identified the Lockheed Martin Company of Greenville, South Carolina, as the main contractor for the sale of P-3C aircraft and its parts.