KARACHI, May 23: The destruction of the two four-engine all-weather P3C Orion aircraft in the strike on Sunday will certainly affect the Pakistan Navy's counter-terrorism and surface and underwater reconnaissance operations for the time being, official sources said on Monday.

There were five P3C Orions in the PN fleet and four others were being modified in the United States under a foreign military sales arrangement. They were originally expected to be handed over to the PN by the end of this year, but official sources were not able to confirm the cut-away period for delivery.

The aircraft is designed for surface and underwater reconnaissance and anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel operations. It is rated as the fastest turbo-prop long-range maritime patrol (LRMP) platform used worldwide and is also called the airborne destroyer.

The aircraft is 116 feet long and has a maximum speed of 410 knots. Its distinguishing features are long endurance, multiple role capability, variety of integrated sensors and above all the capacity to carry a wide array of anti-surface and subsurface weapons such as harpoon, torpedoes, depth charges, mines and rockets. It can fly a mission of at least 18 hours.

Being equipped with depth charges presence of Harpoon missile has enhanced Orion's critical surface warfare capability as it can threaten any surface ship.

A P-3 without Harpoon missiles is a patrol aircraft and a threat to submarines. Its capability has enabled the PN to play an effective role in anti-counter-terrorism missions to the Strait of Hormuz, and other points in the Indian Ocean.

It is equipped with command-and-control capabilities to restrict the littoral movement of terrorists along Pakistan's southern border and ensure an overall ability to maintain integrity of their borders. The acquisition of these aircraft had provided Pakistan with a search surveillance and control capability in support of maritime interdiction operations and increase their ability to support the US Operation Enduring Freedom.

Following the destruction of these aircraft, Pakistan will have to move on a fast track to induct surveillance aircraft from other sources because in the present geopolitical scenario ensuring secure sea lanes for trade is essential for Pakistan.