Lockheed to upgrade P-3C aircrafts

[Nasir]

The lockheed will upgrade Pakistans P-3C Orions aircrafts for 6 million dollars. The upgrade will make the conditions of the plane better, and will increase their operational service age. This is definately good for Pakistan. I think we are pretty set as far as the Maritime goes. Dont you guys think?

WASHINGTON, April 4 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has received a $6 million contract for upgrades to Pakistan's P-3 maritime surveillance planes.

The Foreign Military Sale pact awarded by the U.S. Navy will upgrade the aircraft's capabilities in anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare.
Lockheed said in a news release Tuesday that the contract covers nine planes and has the potential for added orders worth up to $300 million over the life of the program.

The P-3C Orion is a long-range patrol plane in use by the United States and navies from 15 other countries for a variety of missions, including sub hunting, surface surveillance and drug interdiction.

"With 91 percent of all active duty P-3's carrying our mission systems, we know these aircraft will be capable of performing at a world-class level," said Lockheed Vice President Richard Ambrose. "Our upgrades provide enhanced capabilities that will expand Pakistan's role in both humanitarian and military operations."

As with most weapons deals with Pakistan, the Orion has caused concerns in the region about increased frictions with rival neighbor India. Some analysts consider the P-3 to be a distinct advantage for Pakistan when it comes to observing ship movements in the Indian Ocean.

There were scant details on the exact nature of the upgrades to be performed by Lockheed; however the company is the prime contractor for the plane's sophisticated electronics systems.

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060404-123314-9694r

 

[RAPTOR]

I still think Pakistan should also have a non American platform. The PN's Atlantiques are getting old . I think the Atlantique lll should also be bought from France to replace the older ones. France has always maintained a "special" relationship with PN.

 

[Bull]

I still think Pakistan should also have a non American platform. The PN's Atlantiques are getting old . I think the Atlantique lll should also be bought from France to replace the older ones. France has always maintained a "special" relationship with PN.

France doiesnt belive in keeping speacial relationship it believes in anything that gives it money.Atleast like US it doesnt tie you down to any conditions.

 

[EagleEyes]

Prashant i think it was more like a sarcastic comment.

Have we ever thought about what we will replace the Atlantiques with? Not many are left, and they too are pretty old, either they need to be upraded to latest standard or they soon need a good replacement.

Upgrade like of the P-3C aircrafts are definately worth it.

 

[RAPTOR]

Prashant i think it was more like a sarcastic comment.

Have we ever thought about what we will replace the Atlantiques with? Not many are left, and they too are pretty old, either they need to be upraded to latest standard or they soon need a good replacement.

Upgrade like of the P-3C aircrafts are definately worth it.

Webby, Pakistan needs an advanced European option and i think the Atlatique 3 will do nicley. Especially when PN's orions arent that advanced and Boeing has just offered india what is has been drooling over for a long time.

Boeing Submits Proposal to Indian Navy for Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft

(Source: Boeing Co.; issued April 13, 2006)

ST. LOUIS --- A team led by Boeing today submitted its proposal to develop and deliver eight long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft to the Indian navy.

Boeing is offering a variant of its P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft, which is currently in development for the U.S. Navy. The proposed aircraft would provide India with a significantly improved maritime patrol and reconnaissance capability.

"We have proposed a unique system that will enhance the capability of the Indian navy in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare," said Rick Buck, Boeing program manager for P-8A international programs. "The increased range, speed, radius of action and advanced combat power inherent in our 21st century solution will enable the Indian navy to fully patrol and influence events in its entire operational region. Additionally, the commonality inherent in our solution will greatly enhance the interoperability and supportability objectives publicly supported by both the U.S. and Indian navies."

Boeing is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the U.S. Navy's P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft. The Boeing team includes CFM, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Smiths. The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 108 aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2009.

Boeing's proposal includes the development of a unique Indian navy P-8 configuration, significant participation for Indian industry, test and certification activities, and eight aircraft delivered over a four-year period.

Under the request for proposal, bids were to be submitted by April 13, 2006, with first deliveries occurring within 48 months of the contract award.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

 

[RAPTOR]

New Patrol Aircraft in South Asia

April 25, 2006: In April, 2006, Lockheed Martin Corp. was awarded an initial $6 million contract to begin upgrading P-3C aircraft purchased by Pakistan, the US' on-again, off-again ally in the War on Terror. Pakistan has ordered nine of the aircraft from the US Navy's surplus fleet. At the same time, the US' own P-3C felt is deteriorating fast under a heavy work load. The Navy is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain its own squadrons. In fact, the US Navy is decommissioning its six remaining Reserve patrol squadrons so that their aircraft can be sent to active duty squadrons (the last reserve squadron will be gone by 2008). Approximately 140 US Navy P-3Cs have been prematurely retired since 2003 because of deterioration, as well as to make available money for the P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft being developed for introduction to the US fleet in 2012. In the past three years the Navy has been flogging itself under an intense program of re-winging its lowest time P-3Cs as well as bringing all of its P-3Cs up to the latest tactical capabilities.

In November, 2004, Pakistan had given Portuguese aircraft refitter OGMA a contract to refurb its two P-3Cs, which had been grounded since 1999 following the crash of a third during training. At that time, Pakistan was considering purchasing eight older P-3B aircraft from the US' "boneyard" at David Monthan AFB, where scores of older P-3As and P-3Bs are stored. The most modern version of the P-3B – the P-3B TACNAVMOD "Super Bee"-- uses the same airframe, engines, and flight systems as the original P-3C, but the mission systems, sensors, sensor stations, and interior layout are very different.

In May, 2005, Pakistan decided to obtain P-3Cs, which would be upgraded to a capability similar to the US Navy's Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP) and the Block Modification Upgrade Program (BMUP). This upgrade includes the ability to see ground activity in any weather, in great detail, and fire Maverick and SLAM-ER guided missiles. The upgrade would also include better sensors for electronic warfare activity. In addition, Pakistan has also expressed the intention of adding modifications to the aircraft to allow it to employ the French Exocet and Chinese C-802 anti-ship missiles, as well as the French-Italian A244 torpedo. All these mods would give these P-3Cs formidable capabilities over land. Such aircraft have been heavily used by the U.S. Navy since the 1990s.

Pakistan took delivery of its first new P-3C in October, 2005, and began its replacement of its fleet of creaky Atlantique and Fokker F-27-200/400 maritime-patrol aircraft. The new aircraft are ostensibly to be used in the War on Terror, although only a nugget would not also expect them to be used to keep an eye on India as well.

Pakistan's arch rival India had been looking at the eight ex-US P-3Bs to replace its outdated fleet of ex-Soviet Bear aircraft but earlier this year announced that, instead, it was pursuing talks to acquire the smaller, cheaper, and far less capable Falcon 900 maritime patrol aircraft derivative. The Indian Navy's eight Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft are obsolete and cost a small fortune to continue to operate. India had approached several Israeli companies to upgrade its Bears. However, this negotiation was ended when Russia – another US "ally of convenience" whose loyalties seem up for the highest bidder – warned that any contracts with Israeli companies would result in Russia's suspending any support for the India's Tu-142s.

The initial $6 million contract is just the start. The P-3C aircraft for Pakistan will be paid for, in part, through US military assistance as part of the global war on terror, and the total cost for the eight airplanes plus upgrades is initially estimated to be $970 million. The P-3Cs are to be part of a weapons acquisition contract expected to be worth $1.3 billion. Other weapons included in the package are 2,000 TOW-2A missiles, 60 Harpoon missiles, six Phalanx 20mm guns, and the upgrade of six additional gun systems

 

[Zeeshan S.]

Pakistan needs a platform to counter the Boeings P-8 in the future, which will be in service with IN. It will probably be the most capable platform ever inducted in the Indian Navy.

Pakistani Navy needs to make arrangement for the future to keep the edge in Maritime patrol.

 

[Neo]

The first roll out and test flight of the re-activated PC-3 Orien Naval Reconnaissance Aircraft was held in Karachi today.

The roll out and first test flight of the reactivated PC-3 Orion Naval aircraft was held in Karachi today.

The PC-3 Orion is a four engine, highly maneuverable, all weather aircraft primarily designed for reconnaissance purpose.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir said Pakistan will continue to play an active role in the global war against terrorism.

He said there is an urgent need to deny the use of sea routes for the acts of terrorism, illegal activities including arms smuggling, proliferation of weapons of Mass Destruction and drug and human trafficking.


http://www.radio.gov.pk/news_detail.asp?news_type=hl&news_id=3