KARACHI, April 12: The Pakistan Navy enhanced on Saturday its airborne early warning, reconnaissance and fighting capabilities by inducting two Alouette and one Fokker aircraft into the naval aviation fleet.

The aircraft were formally inducted into the naval fleet at an impressive ceremony held at the naval aviation base, PNS Mehran. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir was the chief guest on the occasion.

The two helicopters comprised the first batch of the six Alouettes being acquired by the Pakistan Navy from a private firm in the UK. These helicopters will operate from ships and can be employed for multiple roles. The remaining four helicopters will also arrive in Pakistan by the last quarter of the current year.

In the next few years PN Air Arm strength will almost be doubled with the induction of more P3Cs (airborne early warning platforms), Alouette helicopters, and the force multiplier, AEW aircraft. The PN was also acquiring fixed and rotary wing unarmed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to add to its surveillance capability.

The newly inducted Fokker was acquired from the Pakistan International Airline, which had grounded its Fokker fleet in 2006. The contract with the PIA also included two additional Fokkers for additional support and transfer of associated maintenance facilities. The Pakistan Navy claims it has modified the Fokker aircraft with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons required in maritime operations.In his address, Admiral Tahir said the geopolitical scenario and security environment warranted that the PN, besides ensuring wartime preparedness, was also ready to undertake a wide range of operations during peace time, either independently or as a part of coalition. One major ongoing activity in this respect, he continued, was uninterrupted participation by Pakistan Navy in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan.

The ceremony was concluded with a spectacular fly past of the newly-inducted Fokker and Alouette aircraft. Among others, the ceremony was also attended by Pakistan Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Noman Bashir.