The United States has provided 8 long-range maritime patrol aircraft free-of-cost to Pakistan Navy, giving a major boost to its ability to carry out long distance surveillance as well as fire Harpoon missiles at enemy targets.
"The P-3C Orion aircraft are being provided free-of-cost by the US Navy and the expenses for modification of aircraft avionics systems will be met mostly from the US military aid," a Pakistan Navy statement said in Islamabad on Wednesday.
P-3C Orion is a long-range maritime patrol aircraft with an endurance of about 18 hours and can carry Harpoon missile.
With the induction of 8 P-3Cs, the existing fleet of PN-P-3Cs will grow up to 10.
Two P-3Cs already with PN are presently undergoing overhaul in Pakistan with US assistance and are expected to be operational by the end of this year.
"The title of these aircraft has been shifted to PN with signing of the transfer documents by the representatives of US and Pakistan Navies, making the aircraft a property of the government of Pakistan," the statement said.
Appreciating the US assistance, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah has termed the acquisition of the aircraft as a significant achievement, the statement said.
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He expressed confidence that the induction of these aircraft would augment the PN capability to actively monitor its areas of interest at sea and add a new dimension to the offensive punch of its fleet.