Pakistan Naval Air Arm#Active Squadrons

{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}

After the second war with India in 1965, the concept of establishing the navy-based aviation service was conceived by the Pakistan Navy who forwarded the idea to the Government of Pakistan as part of the war strategy to sustain the purely defence of nation's maritime interests.{{rp|63–66}}{{cite book|last=Goldrick|first=James|title=No Easy Answers|year=1997|publisher=Lancer's Publications and Distributors|location=New Delhi, India|isbn=1-897829-02-7|pages=63/65/66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6XW7kKHQeQoC&pg=PA45}}

The Navy had been long aware of the usefulness and tactical advantages of the air-wing after witnessing the United States Naval Aviators' actions in the Vietnam War, and V-Adm. Muzaffar Hassan, the Navy Commander, had made attempts to establish naval aviation but this was impossible to achieve in the absence of generous support from outside sources.{{rp|213}}{{cite book |last1=Tahir-Kheli |first1=Shirin |last2=Neuman |first2=Stephanie G . |author-link1=Shirin Tahir-Kheli |editor1-last=Neuman |editor1-first=Stephanie G . |title=Defense Planning in Less Industrialised States: The Middle East and South Asia |date=1984 |publisher=Lexington Book, Co. |location=Massachusetts, U.S. |edition=1st |language=en |chapter={{small|§Defense Planning in Pakistan}}}}See Mountbatten to Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir William Dickson (Chief of Defence Staff) . Undated letter but probably late February 1959 and written in response to Dickson's letter

Furthermore, strong objections came from Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan, the Air Commander, who had been very hostile towards any idea of modernizing the navy and loath to risk its precious aircraft in over-the-water operations.{{rp|63}}{{cite book |last1=Goldrick, RAN |first1=Rear-Admiral James |author-link1=James Goldrick |title=No Easy Answers: The Development of the Navies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka 1945—1996 |date=1996 |publisher=Spantech and Lancers |location=London, UK |isbn=1897829027 |pages=270 |edition=1st |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/PIAMA02.pdf |access-date=25 December 2018 |language=en-au |chapter={{small|§(Towards a Submarine Arm: 1966-1971)}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224095145/http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/PIAMA02.pdf |archive-date=24 December 2016 |url-status=live }} The lack of funds and donations from the United States Navy meant the concept never materialized though the Navy entered into talks with the United States Government to effect the transferring of three to four Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft before the third war with India in 1971.

After the first missile attack in Karachi in 1971, the Navy hastily established the naval air arm by leasing a civilian aircraft, the Fokker F27, from the Pakistan International Airlines whose pilots volunteered to carry the naval observers on a maritime reconnaissance on 6 December 1971.{{Cite web| url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/History/1971War/44-Attacks-On-Karachi.html| title=Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926174134/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/History/1971War/44-Attacks-On-Karachi.html| archive-date=26 September 2009| df=dmy-all}} Cdre. A. W. Bhomba, the senior forward observer, mistakenly identified his own ship, {{ship|PNS|Zulfiqar|K265|6}} forming defences at that time, and gave clearance to the Pakistan Air Force to carry out a bombing mission to target the ship – a friendly fire incident that further hampered Navy's operational scope.

After the third war with India in 1971, the Air Arm continued and was able to induct Sea King helicopters from the United Kingdom through transfers from the Royal Navy on 28 September 1974– leading to the establishment of the 111 ASW Squadron in the Naval Aviation.{{cite web |title=111 PNAS |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_111.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |publisher=111 PNAS |access-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031013408/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_111.html |archive-date=31 October 2016 |url-status=live }} The first naval air station, PNS Mehran, was inaugurated in Karachi, in the vicinity of the Faisal Air Force Base, on 26 September 1975.{{rp|155–156}}{{cite book |last1=USA |first1=IBP |title=Pakistan Intelligence, Security Activities and Operations Handbook |date=2009 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=9781438737218 |pages=230 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYqnBQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+naval+air+arm&pg=PA155 |access-date=26 December 2018 |language=en |format=googlebooks |chapter={{small|§(The Pakistan Navy)}}}}

Early in its inception the Naval Air Arm was dependent upon the Air Force and the Army to meet its training requirement of air and ground crew.

{{Main|Atlantique Incident}}

The Atlantique Incident was a major international incident that occurred on 10 August 1999 when a Pakistan Naval Air Arm patrol aircraft—a Breguet Atlantique with 16 personnel on board—was shot down in the border area of the Kutch region by Indian Air Force jets. Pakistan and India both claimed the aircraft to be in their respective airspace.

Some experts stated that the Atlantique was probably conducting a "probe" on India's air defence system, mainly the radar equipment in the border area; however, they advised that it was not part of any planned aggressive military action by Pakistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/187/34571.html|title=Pakistan Attacks Indian Aircraft|date=12 August 1999|publisher=Globalpolicy.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103044331/http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/187/34571.html|archive-date=3 November 2013|access-date=19 July 2017}} Foreign diplomats who visited the crash site noted that the plane "may have strayed into restricted space", and that Islamabad was unable to explain why it was flying so close to the border; they however added that India's reaction to the incident was not justified.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/419325.stm|title=South Asia | Pakistani plane 'may have crossed border'|date=13 August 1999|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819224351/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/419325.stm|archive-date=19 August 2014|access-date=19 July 2017}} Many countries, the G8, the permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as the western media questioned the wisdom behind Pakistan's decision to fly military aircraft so close to the Indian border.{{cite web|url=http://defencejournal.com/sept99/post-kargil.htm|title=Islamabad's Post-Kargil Challenges|date=6 April 1999|publisher=Defencejournal.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304092141/http://www.defencejournal.com/sept99/post-kargil.htm|archive-date=4 March 2014|access-date=19 July 2017}}

On 21 September 1999, Pakistan lodged a compensation claim at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing India of shooting down an unarmed aircraft. Pakistan sought about US$60 million in reparations from India and compensation for the victims' families. India's attorney general, Soli Sorabjee, argued that the court did not have jurisdiction,{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000404/world.htm#4|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – World|publisher=Tribuneindia.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502041237/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000404/world.htm#4|archive-date=2 May 2016|access-date=19 July 2017}} citing an exemption it filed in 1974 to exclude disputes between India and other Commonwealth States, and disputes covered by multi-lateral treaties.

On 21 June 2000, the 16-judge Bench headed by Gilbert Guillaume of France ruled—with a 14–2 verdict—upholding India's submission that the court had no jurisdiction in this matter.{{cite web|url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?sum=585&code=pi&p1=3&p2=3&case=119&k=b5&p3=5|title=Cour internationale de Justice | International Court of Justice|publisher=Icj-cij.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015055439/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?sum=585&code=pi&p1=3&p2=3&case=119&k=b5&p3=5|archive-date=15 October 2016|access-date=19 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/119/8088.pdf|title=Case Concerning the Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999|website=www.icj|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128055311/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/119/8088.pdf|archive-date=28 November 2007|access-date=19 July 2017}} Pakistan's claims were dropped, without recourse to appeal, and the outcome was seen as a decision highly favorable to India.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000622/main3.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News|date=22 June 2000|publisher=Tribuneindia.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202336/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000622/main3.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=19 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/800433.stm|title=SOUTH ASIA | World court blow for Pakistan|date=21 June 2000|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105050658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/800433.stm|archive-date=5 November 2013|access-date=19 July 2017}} The Pakistan government had spent close to 25 million Pakistani rupees (approx. $400,000) on the case.{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/48242/govt-comments-sought-in-atlantique-case|title=Govt comments sought in Atlantique case – Newspaper|date=17 July 2002|publisher=Dawn.Com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205610/http://www.dawn.com/news/48242/govt-comments-sought-in-atlantique-case|archive-date=14 July 2014|access-date=19 July 2017}}

On 22 May 2011, Tehreek-i-Taliban militants attacked PNS Mehran air station and killed 18 Navy Personnel while 16 were injured. 2 P-3C Orion aircraft were also destroyed in the attack.{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/23/357055/taliban-destroy-two-pakistan-navy-p-3cs.html|title=Taliban destroy two Pakistan navy P-3Cs|last=Waldron|first=Greg|date=23 May 2011|website=Flightglobal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526214739/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/23/357055/taliban-destroy-two-pakistan-navy-p-3cs.html|archive-date=26 May 2011|access-date=19 July 2017}}

• 111 Squadron (ASW, ASuW, SAR)

Established on 17 January 1982, the 111 ASW Squadron, which consists of the Sea King helicopters, is primarily programmed for missile launch capability targeting dived submarines and releasing depth charges.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Official Website |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/air_arm.html |access-date=2020-07-07 |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk}}{{Cite web |title=Scramble |url=https://www.scramble.nl/orbats/pakistan/navy |access-date=2020-07-07 |website=www.scramble.nl}}

• 222 Squadron (ASW)

With the acquisition of {{Sclass|Tariq|destroyer}}s from the Royal Navy, the Navy was additionally able to acquire three Westland Lynx utility helicopters which were inducted into the 222 ASW Squadron.{{cite web |last1=Shabbir |first1=Usman |title=Westland Lynx HAS 3 |url=http://pakdef.org/westland-lynx-has-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227085427/http://pakdef.org/westland-lynx-has-3/ |archive-date=27 December 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |publisher=PakDef Military Consortium}} They were later retired in 2003.{{Cite web |title=Lynx Helicopters Available for Sale - History of PIA - Forum |url=https://historyofpia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20869 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=historyofpia.com}}

In 2006, the Navy re-equipped the 222 ASW squadron by introducing the Harbin Z-9 helicopters which are equipped with sensors and radars to support the F-22P class frigates.{{cite web |title=222 ASW Squadron |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_222.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101033936/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_222.html |archive-date=1 November 2016 |access-date=26 December 2018 |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk}}

• 333 Squadron (ASW)

In 1977, the 333 ASW squadron was established with the induction of the Aérospatiale Alouette II and the Alouette III rotary aircraft, for which the first group of naval aviators were trained in France.{{cite web |title=333 ASW squadron |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_333.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818222948/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_333.html |archive-date=18 August 2016 |access-date=26 December 2018 |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk}}

• 27 Squadron (ASW)

In 1982, the 27 ASW Squadron was established with the induction of the Fokker F-27 aircraft. All of its Fokker F-27 aircraft were retired on 21 January 2020 in an impressive phasing out ceremony.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Bids Farewell to Fokker F27 - History of PIA - Forum |url=https://historyofpia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28530 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=historyofpia.com}}

• 28 ASW Squadron (ASW, ASuW)

28 ASW squadron was formed by the acquisition of P-3C Orion aircraft in 1996 after a long delay due to the imposition of the Pressler Amendment in 1990. The P-3C Orion gave the Navy strike capability but one of these planes was lost due to an accident while carrying out routine exercises in local coastal waters on 29 October 1999.{{cite book |last1=Anwar |first1=Muhammad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U2IQ7bkak5wC&q=P-3C+Orion+Pakistan+accident&pg=PA263 |title=Stolen Stripes and Broken Medals: Autobiography of a Senior Naval Officer |date=2006 |publisher=AuthorHouse |isbn=9781425900205 |language=en |access-date=27 December 2018}}

• 29 ASW Squadron (ASW, EW)

In 1973, the Navy entered into talks with France to acquire the Breguet Atlantic aircraft for its patrolling missions,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eBnAsqTJ8TMC&q=MIRAGE+5+pakistan+naval&pg=RA3-PA40 |title=Mr Bhutto in at Large |date=4 August 1973 |publisher=Indian National Congress. All India Congress Committee. |language=en |access-date=27 December 2018}} and acquired them on 14 August 1976, that established the 29 ASW Atlantic Squadron and is tasked with maritime reconnaissance missions.{{cite web |title=29 ASW Squadron (Atlantic). |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_29.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818222822/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ASW_29.html |archive-date=18 August 2016 |access-date=26 December 2018 |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |publisher=29 ASW Squadron (Atlantic).}} A single Hawker 850XP was also inducted in Aug 2010 for IW/EW.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Official Website |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/air_arm.html |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk}}

After the retirement of the Breguet Atlantic aircraft from service {{Cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft - History of PIA - Forum |url=https://historyofpia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20716 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=historyofpia.com}} the squadron has been re-equipped with ATR-72 turboprop airliners upgraded into two variants, the RAS-72 Sea Eagle for Maritime Patrol / ASW {{Cite web |last=Team |first=Quwa |date=2020-07-05 |title=ATR-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) |url=https://quwa.org/2020/07/05/atr-72-maritime-patrol-aircraft-mpa/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Quwa |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hemanth |date=2019-07-10 |title=RAS delivers second RAS 72 Sea Eagle aircraft to Pakistan Navy |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/ras-delivers-second-ras-72-sea-eagle-aircraft-to-pakistan-navy/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-US}} and other variant being utilized in transport role.

• 47 UAV Squadron (ISR)

47 UAV squadron consists of GIDS Uqab UAVs used for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).{{Cite web |title=Orbats |url=https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/pakistan/pakistan-navy |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.scramble.nl}}

• Pakistan Naval Air Station PNS Mehran, Karachi
• Pakistan Naval Air Station PNS Makran, Pasni {{Cite web |date=2020-04-18 |title=Understanding the Western Coast of Pakistan |url=https://www.maritimestudyforum.org/understanding-the-western-coast-of-pakistan/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Maritime Study Forum |language=en-US}}
• Naval Air Station PNS Siddique, Turbat
• Naval Air Station PNS Ahsan, Ormara {{Cite web |date=2017-08-03 |title=Ground Breaking of new Runway at Naval Air Station Ormara |url=https://pdf.defence.pk/threads/ground-breaking-of-new-runway-at-naval-air-station-ormara.510505/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Pakistan Defence |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Techie |date=2020-11-13 |title=CNS Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi Visited Strategic Naval Installations At Gwadar And Ormara |url=https://www.pakdefense.com/blog/pakistan-navy/cns-admiral-amjad-khan-niazi-visited-strategic-naval-installations-at-gwadar-and-ormara/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=PAKDEFENSE |language=en-US}}

{{Main article|List of aircraft of the Pakistan Naval Air Arm}}

File:Pakistan Navy Orion Asuspine.jpg|A Pakistan Navy Orion on takeoff

File:Pakistan Navy Westland Sea King Asuspine-1.jpg|A Pakistani Westland Sea King

File:Pakistan Navy, 78, ATR 72-500MPA (49579395083).jpg|ATR 72-500MPA of Pakistan Navy

File:Alouette IIICS5.jpg|Pakistan Naval Air Arm Alouette III No 36 aboard PNS Tippu Sultan (D185) at the International Festival of the Sea 2005, Portsmouth, UK

• Pakistan Army Aviation Corps
• List of active Pakistan Navy ships

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category|Aircraft of the Pakistan Navy}}

• [https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/air_arm.html Naval Air Arm]
• [http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Helicopter-Markets-and-Systems/Pakistan-Naval-Aviation-Pakistan.html Pakistan Naval Aviation (Pakistan), Military census]

{{Pakistan Naval Air Arm}}

{{Pakistan Navy}}

{{Military of Pakistan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pakistan Naval Air Arm}}

Category:Pakistan Navy

Category:Naval aviation services

Category:Aviation in Pakistan

Category:Pakistani military aviation