Pakistan Navy inducts first Long Range Maritime Patrol twin-engine jet

The Pakistan Navy has inducted its first modern Long Range Maritime Patrol twin-engine jet aircraft at a ceremony held at PNS Mehran, Karachi.

This twin-engine jet aircraft is a variant of the Brazilian-built Embraer Jet aircraft used to undertake air operations across the world.

Pakistan Navy has given contracts for two more aircraft of the series.

These aircraft will feature the latest weapons and sensors to undertake maritime air operations.

Commenting on the aircraft, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi commended the transition of Pakistan Navy Air Arm from prop to jet age of Long Range Maritime Patrol Operations.

He also stated that the Pakistan Navy is committed to upgrading its combat inventory for quick response.

Commander Pakistan Fleet rear admiral Naveed Ashraf said that the addition of the new aircraft will bolster the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities to safeguard the maritime interests of the country.

Admiral Niazi handed over the aircraft documents to the commanding officer of the squadron concerned.

In August, the Pakistan Navy’s first MILGEM-class corvette ship, PNS Babur, was launched from a shipyard in Istanbul, Turkey.

The launch of the first vessel came around three years after Pakistan signed a contract with Turkish manufacturer ASFAT for four MILGEM-class corvettes.

Istanbul Naval Shipyard will be responsible for building the first two vessels while the other two will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

In July, Pakistan Navy Ship Zulfiquar visited Portsmouth in the UK as part of its overseas deployment (OSD) and took part in a bilateral naval exercise.

The third Pakistan Navy and Royal Navy exercise, WHITE STAR-III, was held offshore Portsmouth.