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Pakistan Naval Aviation - Updated

The one in Germany was seen outside the 5th, so work is certainly progressing.

The German 'Flugzeugforum' had this picture, courtesy of mr.Il76. It did an engine run.
Lots of hobs and knobs, bells and whistles. So yes, it is modified with some extra surveillance gear :-)
ATR72 79 with mods.jpg
 
Can these be turned into ASW tplanes to take over P3 Orion role??
The one in Germany was seen outside the 5th, so work is certainly progressing.

The German 'Flugzeugforum' had this picture, courtesy of mr.Il76. It did an engine run.
Lots of hobs and knobs, bells and whistles. So yes, it is modified with some extra surveillance gear :-)
View attachment 452184
 
The company modifying the PN's ATR-72s - i.e. Rheinland Air Service - said the aircraft are being modified for ASW:

Because the aircraft are equipped, above all, with the latest satellite technology to detect submarines. But in an emergency they should also be put in the barriers. Both aircraft have a torpedo launch station.

http://www.rp-online.de/nrw/staedte...hafen-grossauftrag-aus-pakistan-aid-1.5990367
These are also being equipped with the Leonardo SeaSpray 7300 X-band AESA surface surveillance radar.

The company is known to have beaten off three other rivals in the last leg of the Pakistan Navy bid, they are thought to have included PAL Aerospace, Thales and Leonardo. “Aerodata has been working on the ATR 72MPA for just over a year now, and first flight is expected in October” Stahl added. “It has maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and also search and rescue capabilities.”

While Aerodata is based in Braunschweig, the work to integrate the systems and modifications to the airframe is being carried out by Rheinland Air Services in Monchengladbach. The company, well versed with the ATR 72 is working alongside Marshall Aerospace from Cambridge, UK. Aerodata is responsible for the design, the kits and integration.

There are two aircraft contracted and optional for the first two with the first due for delivery in early 2018 and the second in early 2019.

“It will have a fully missionised system with torpedos and water bombs, it has a typical sensor suite including a Seaspray 7300E radar for long range detection, localisation and classification. A Star Safire III EO/IR system will provide the short range classification and imaging. We also included some ESM systems [supplied by the customer from Electronica] and long and short range detection of threats, classification and localisation. Along that comes self-protection against infra-red radar or laser threats; there are ELINT components as well. It will be certified as per Pakistan’s standards.”

http://warnesysworld.com/pakistan-navy-atr72mpa-fly-october/
 
IMO A very good option to have as US uncertainty mounts. @TOPGUN
The company modifying the PN's ATR-72s - i.e. Rheinland Air Service - said the aircraft are being modified for ASW:

Because the aircraft are equipped, above all, with the latest satellite technology to detect submarines. But in an emergency they should also be put in the barriers. Both aircraft have a torpedo launch station.

http://www.rp-online.de/nrw/staedte...hafen-grossauftrag-aus-pakistan-aid-1.5990367
These are also being equipped with the Leonardo SeaSpray 7300 X-band AESA surface surveillance radar.

The company is known to have beaten off three other rivals in the last leg of the Pakistan Navy bid, they are thought to have included PAL Aerospace, Thales and Leonardo. “Aerodata has been working on the ATR 72MPA for just over a year now, and first flight is expected in October” Stahl added. “It has maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and also search and rescue capabilities.”

While Aerodata is based in Braunschweig, the work to integrate the systems and modifications to the airframe is being carried out by Rheinland Air Services in Monchengladbach. The company, well versed with the ATR 72 is working alongside Marshall Aerospace from Cambridge, UK. Aerodata is responsible for the design, the kits and integration.

There are two aircraft contracted and optional for the first two with the first due for delivery in early 2018 and the second in early 2019.

“It will have a fully missionised system with torpedos and water bombs, it has a typical sensor suite including a Seaspray 7300E radar for long range detection, localisation and classification. A Star Safire III EO/IR system will provide the short range classification and imaging. We also included some ESM systems [supplied by the customer from Electronica] and long and short range detection of threats, classification and localisation. Along that comes self-protection against infra-red radar or laser threats; there are ELINT components as well. It will be certified as per Pakistan’s standards.”

http://warnesysworld.com/pakistan-navy-atr72mpa-fly-october/
 
IMO A very good option to have as US uncertainty mounts. @TOPGUN

True, but not going to happen per PN.
The ATR-72MPA can't compensate for the P-3C as the P-3C has much more range and a heavier payload. In fact, even the PN intends to use the ATR-72MPA for primarily ISR and SAR, with ASW being a secondary role. There are hardly any aircraft like the P-3C, hence the replacement market is limited to just two options: Boeing P-8 and Kawasaki P-1. If a country isn't going for any of those two, they're sticking with the P-3C.

Thankfully, the PAF has Project Azm to help it exit the F-16 when the time comes, but it'll be interesting to see how the PN manages the P-3C. As the aircraft ages, it'll only get costlier to maintain and operate, especially with the US being iffy.

This entire big MPA market is up for grabs for whoever comes up with a non-US market. Brazil's Embraer is already thinking about it...

"You can take out the mission system and fly with cargo, passengers, medevac, etc., so it would be a single fleet with perhaps two aircraft capable of being configured for maritime patrol and five dedicated to air mobility. It is how we can show synergy between both projects, but at the same time we have a solution that is 100 percent dedicated to maritime patrol with the E190-E2."

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2...ealand-rfi-for-airlift-surveillance-aircraft/
 
The one in Germany was seen outside the 5th, so work is certainly progressing.

The German 'Flugzeugforum' had this picture, courtesy of mr.Il76. It did an engine run.
Lots of hobs and knobs, bells and whistles. So yes, it is modified with some extra surveillance gear :-)
View attachment 452184
The bulge under the belly maybe the Seaspray Radar?
@Bilal Khan (Quwa) is MAD part of the upgrade?
 
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I think first one was supposed to come in 2017 ....??

Former Navy chief said that "Work on upgrading PN's ATR planes into MPA's in Germany will finish by January 2018."

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/outgoing-pakistan-navy-chief-details-procurement-progress.521967/

There are two aircraft contracted and optional for the first two with the first due for delivery in early 2018 and the second in early 2019.

http://warnesysworld.com/pakistan-navy-atr72mpa-fly-october/


Can these be turned into ASW tplanes to take over P3 Orion role??

Those will replace some of the ageing Fokkers in service. Orion's replaced the Breguet Atlantic.

Breguet Atlantic: AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile and Mk 46 torpedo.

P-3C Orion: AGM-84L Harpoon Block II and Mk 46.

Fokker F27: Mk 46.

ATR-72: ASW torpedo (possibly Mk 46).
 
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Modified Pakistan Navy ATR 72-500 serial number 79 seen at Dusseldorf Monchengladbach Airport on February 5, 2018.

Images credit: Jürgen Coenen

26246435428_8444f72f14_b.jpg


39408597854_b2786b2cd9_b.jpg


Upgrades include:
  • Leonardo Seaspray 7300E X-band airborne surveillance radar
  • Aerodata AG mission system AeroMission
  • Star Safire III EO/IR system
  • Elettronica [U/I] ESM systems
  • Self protection equipment
  • ELINT equipment
  • Stores pylons, depth charges and torpedoes
  • High speed real time data links
 
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As Pakistan Navy is procuring new Frigates from China (Type 54) Does it contains any procurement deal of new helicopters too?
Also with the acquisition of Milgem Corvette , Swiftshift OPVs, Damen Opvs and newly acquired 1500 tons MPVs for PMSA Pakistan Navy will need additional helicopters.
 

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