Pakistan to get two P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft
WASHINGTON: The United States will hand over two upgraded P-3C Orion reconnaissance aircraft to Pakistan on Friday to help boost maritime security capability of the key member of the multinational task force.
Pakistan will receive the surveillance maritime aircraft in Jacksonville, Florida, at a ceremony, to be attended by Vice Admiral Shahid Iqbal HI (M), chief of staff of the Pakistan Navy, Islamabads Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani and senior US naval officers. Being a critical anti-terrorism partner of the international community, Pakistan is currently commanding the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, having already fulfilled the responsibility three times. The area of responsibility of the CTF-150, which operates under the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan, stretches from Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, covering 2.4 million sq miles and bordering 14 nations along the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Horn of Africa and Red Sea. Pakistan is due to get in phases a total of 7 P-3 C Orion aircraft that are being upgraded by global security company Lockheed Martin.
According to a spokesman of the Pakistani embassy in Washington, the acquisition of the aircraft reflects growing cooperation between the US and Pakistani navies, that have been cooperating closely in stemming illegal activities at sea. Recently, Pakistans Naval Chief Admiral Noman Bashir also visited Washington and was decorated with the prestigious US Legion of the Merit award. As a major non-NATO ally of the United States, Pakistan will also acquire frigate USS McInerney later this summer under foreign military funding. app
4 received and 3 in balance. so in total 6 in hand and 3 to be delivered for a total of 9.
for the avionics package check the AFM thread for details.