Pakistan Naval Air Arm | |
---|---|
Founded | 9 December 1971 |
Country | Pakistan |
Type | Naval aviation |
Role | Sea-to air-combat surface attack Anti-surface warfare Search and Rescue Aerial reconnaissance Weather observation |
Size | 5,000 personnel, 85 aircraft |
Part of | Pakistan Navy |
Headquarters | PNS Mehran in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |
Nickname(s) | PNA |
Anniversaries | Navy Day: 6 September |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Commander Naval Aviation (COMNAV) | CDRE Syed Talat Hussain |
Insignia | |
Roundel | |
Fin Flash | |
Aircraft flown | |
Helicopter | Harbin Z-9, Alouette III, Westland Sea King |
Patrol | P-3C Orion, ATR P-72 ASW, Embraer Lineage |
Reconnaissance | GIDS Uqab, Hawker 850XL, EMT Luna X-2000 |
The Pakistan Naval Air Arm (unofficially: Pakistan Naval Aviation) is the naval aviation branch within the Pakistan Navy that is responsible for aerial operations from the seaborne platform.[1]
The naval aviation branch is responsible for conducting the land-based strike capability, fleet air defence, evacuation and extraction, search and rescue, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.[2] 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.[1]
The Commander Naval Aviation (COMNAV) command is usually held by a senior officer of Commodore rank who directs the field operations of the naval aviation.