KARACHI, Jan 13: The first of the eight P3 C Orion anti-ship reconnaissance aircraft acquired from the United States would be handed over to the Pakistan Navy on Jan 18, Navy chief Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir said while addressing a parade and award ceremony at the Dockyards on Monday.

The Chief of the Naval Staff said Pakistan cannot remain oblivious of its defence needs and had to take into account India’s plans for the acquisition of sophisticated weapons in the formulation of its defence strategy.

Admiral Afzal said Pakistan did not harbour aggressive designs against any country, but it was “imperative for us to keep enhancing our defence capability in order to protect our sovereignty and integrity”.

With this aim in mind, he added, the Pakistan Navy had decided to acquire modern weaponry and platforms. The induction of the P3 C Orion all-weather aircraft would enhance the Navy’s reconnaissance, anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel operation capabilities.

He said that with the completion of the Gwadar port and the expansion of maritime infrastructure at Karachi, Pakistan would turn into a conduit for trade in the region.

The Navy chief, who was welcomed by the Commander of Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Asaf Humayun, gave away prizes to the winning units.

Agencies add: Talking to journalists after inaugurating the National Centre of Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), Admiral Afzal said the government had allocated adequate funds to the Pakistan Navy under the armed forces development programme.

“We are very thankful to the government for providing adequate funds to the Pakistan Navy under the armed forces development programme. All the requirements of the Navy have been met while remaining within the constraints of the economy.”

He said that in the next few years there would be `capacity building’ in the Navy and that 'our punch will be strengthened further’.

“The Navy is in a very good shape even today. For the future, with the support and understanding of the government, we have got plenty of funds. We will use this money very judiciously and to the best of our abilities,” Admiral Afzal said.