AW101 possible acquisition by Pakistan Navy - WDF Exclusive | World Defense

AW101 possible acquisition by Pakistan Navy - WDF Exclusive

Khafee

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AW101 possible acquisition by Pakistan Navy
21 Oct 2019

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AW-101

Durintg the recent visit to Pakistan of Secretary General of Defence & National Armaments Director, Republic of Italy, Lt General Nicolo Falsaperna and Chairman of the Italian Industries Association for Air Space, Defence & Security and member of the Parliament, Mr Guido Crosctto, they met with Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi at Naval Headquarters Islamabad.

The possible acquisition of initially 10 AW-101 helicopters, to replace PN's existing Sea Kings was discussed. The PN Sea Kings have been operating since the late 70's, and despite their periodic upgrades are nearing the end of their lives and need to be replaced.

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Pakistan Navy Sea King

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Pakistan Navy Sea King carrying a french Exocet anti-ship missile.
 

TomCat

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@Khafee what is this second screen from the right?
 

PewPew

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I think the jury is still out on whether the PN will opt for AW101. The preferred platform is the NH-90NFH as it's a medium weight that can operate from land and all of our future ships. The PN can standardize on 1 platform for ASW/AShW and leave SAR and utility to the AW139 or T625.

But cost wise, 10~12 AW101 and NH-90 will cost the same. The ideal platform was the MH-60R at 2/3 the cost, but US thing...

BTW the most recent meeting with the CNS was actually with MBDA Italy, not Leonardo. So recent talks were likely re munitions for ships and subs.
 

Khafee

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I think the jury is still out on whether the PN will opt for AW101. The preferred platform is the NH-90NFH as it's a medium weight that can operate from land and all of our future ships. The PN can standardize on 1 platform for ASW/AShW and leave SAR and utility to the AW139 or T625.

But cost wise, 10~12 AW101 and NH-90 will cost the same. The ideal platform was the MH-60R at 2/3 the cost, but US thing...

BTW the most recent meeting with the CNS was actually with MBDA Italy, not Leonardo. So recent talks were likely re munitions for ships and subs.
Pls vist the link in the OP. Meeting was with.......?
 

PewPew

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Pls vist the link in the OP. Meeting was with.......?
The CNS met with the deputy SG of Italian procurement and defence industry promotion, the President of the same organization, and the CEO of MBDA Italy. Helicopters would fall under Leonardo, but I think these meetings were re: missiles and torpedoes.

 

Khafee

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The CNS met with the deputy SG of Italian procurement and defence industry promotion, the President of the same organization, and the CEO of MBDA Italy. Helicopters would fall under Leonardo, but I think these meetings were re: missiles and torpedoes.

Sir, You are entitled to your opinion.

Btw the EFT was also discussed in this meeting:
Italian Secretary General of Defence visits Air HQ
 

TomCat

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no talks on Vixen ?
 

Fafnir

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I think the jury is still out on whether the PN will opt for AW101. The preferred platform is the NH-90NFH as it's a medium weight that can operate from land and all of our future ships. The PN can standardize on 1 platform for ASW/AShW and leave SAR and utility to the AW139 or T625.

I flew on the NH90 and Sea King during my time in the Royal Norwegian Air Force, both are great platforms, but the NH90 has had serious development problems that continue to today. Earlier this year Norwegian defence brass confirmed that 10 years after ordering and pressing the type into service the NH90 still can't operate over rough seas or in hazardous conditions, a major problem when you're flying in the North Sea where storms are the norm and sea states are the worst in the world.





They are great helicopters and can operate from ships, which is a big plus, but they've had a less then stellar readiness and reliability rate and are still to reach full operational capability after ten years with the Royal Norwegian Navy and Coastguard.

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The AW101 is larger and land-based, but it's avoided most of the developmental problems that have dogged the NH90. Expensive, but a highly capable long-range search and rescue helo. Highly recommended.

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NATO nations use both types and I've flown on the NH90. Both area great platforms, but I'd favor the AW101 over the NH90 if given the choice. It's more mature.

...

Cool story: This British Merlin (AW101) was engaged during a training exercise by Norwegian submarine KNM Utsira. The kill was made with a simulated munition, but during an actual conflict the submarine would have used the IDAS submarine-launched air-defence missile. Norway is the only country known to arm its submarines with air-defence missiles.

Norwegian AW101s and NH90s are for SAR with the NH90 limited in their ability to perform its ASW role due to issues operating in poor weather. British Merlins are ASW submarines.

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Mingle

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Italians are making inroads into Pakistani defence establishment. They sold almost $800 million dollars worth of equipment Toni’s in 2018. They have some Eurofighters available and ready to deliver ..... don’t know if this deal went through or not.

I think Bulgaria bought F16s blk 72 this offer can be replicate for PAF.they request 8 Pak probably will go 36 if price is right.
 

Counter-Errorist

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Italy Approved $762 M in Arms Sales To Pakistan in 2018

n its “Report on the Authorized Transactions Carried for Export, Import and Transit Control of Armament Materials,” the Italian government revealed that it approved €682.91 million (or $762 million US) in arms exports to Pakistan.

Pakistan was Italy’s second largest buyer, following Qatar (which received approvals worth €1.92 billion).

The sales for Pakistan in 2018 were roughly four times larger than those booked in 2017, which stood at €174.1 million (or $194.15 million US).

The official report did not disclose exactly what Italy approved for sale to Pakistan, but it does state that the systems in question include the following:

  • 12.7 mm caliber (plus lower and higher caliber) weapons and automatic weapons;
  • Ammunition;
  • Bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, and accessories;
  • Equipment for the direction of shooting
  • Land vehicles
  • Aircraft
  • Electronic devices
  • Protective and construction equipment
  • Specialized equipment for military training or for the simulation of military scenarios
  • Devices for the vision of images
Continue reading the article here.

Notes and Comments

Since 2016, Pakistan’s main defence purchases from Italy comprised of the Leonardo AW139 search-and-rescue (SAR) and utility helicopter, surplus M109L tracked 155 mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH), and a range of other surplus armoured vehicles.

However, Italian arms sales to Pakistan in 2016 and 2017 were priced at €97.2 million and €174.1 million, respectively. While Leonardo did announce another AW139 sale to Pakistan in April 2018 (with deliveries slated for early 2019), it would have to be a significantly larger order to justify such a jump in sale figures.

Moreover, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has replaced its Alouette IIIs in the SAR role with the AW139, so a follow-up order may have come from another service branch (e.g., the Army, Navy or Government).

Interestingly, the near-4X growth in sales could also indicate new defence programs. So, for example, the PAF officially stated that it requires a new lead-in-fighter-trainer (LIFT). The Leonardo M-346 was among the top options (alongside the Chinese L-15 and South Korean T-50).

Moreover, the PAF’s current Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Mujahid Anwar Khan stated that the LIFT must “have an air interdiction radar and a datalink training system.” [1]

Interestingly, in July 2019, Leonardo announced that it sold six M-346FAs to an undisclosed “major international customer.” The M-346FA happens to meet the PAF’s two main requirements (i.e., a radar and data-link system). A small batch order of M-346FA could fit in the sales figures announced for 2018.

Alternatively, the most recent Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) report stated that the Directorate General of Defence Purchase (DGDP) ordered 10 “low-level radars” for $130 m. This could be a gap-filler radar meant for supplementing – and eventually replacing — the PAF’s Siemens Mobile Pulse Doppler Radars (MPDR). A Leonardo KRONOS LAND purchase could be a possibility.

[1] Alan Warnes. Interview with Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan. Jane’s defence Weekly. 22 May 2019.
 
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