Pakistan Navy Inducts Two ATR-72 Twin Engine Turboprop Aircraft

Pakistan has officially commissioned two ATR-72 twin-engine turboprop aircraft in Pakistan Naval Air Arm in order to replace it aging fleet of F-27 Fokker aircraft in presence of Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila in an impressive ceremony held at PNS Mehran. Pakistan Naval Air Arm plans to purchase additional two ATR-72 twin-engine turboprop aircraft once funds are available.

Pakistan Naval Air Arm  has purchased two low-houred ex-airline ATR 72-500’s which will initially be used to train its pilots and then they will be converted to perform Maritime Surveillance/Reconnaissance roles.

Pakistani ATR-72 turboprop aircrafts have large cargo door and air-openable rear door to air drop the relief goods and rescue personnel.

First ATRs is ATR 72-500 (72-212A) with construction number 712, registration EC-JAH which was built in 2004 and operated by the Navegacion y Servicios Aéreos Canarios (NAYSA) / Binter Canarias. Second ATR 72-500 (72-212A) had construction number 788, registration A2-ABS and it was operated by the Air Botswana.

ATR-72 aircraft will augment the  P-3C Orions which have been modified under Pakistan Upgrade Program (PUP). ATR-72 twin-engine turboprop aircraft can be modifed for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW) missions and can be armed with lightweight aerial torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and depth charges.