karachi - In order to further enhance effectiveness of Naval Aviation, Pakistan Navy has inducted a second batch of Alouette Helicopters into its Fleet Air Arm in a ceremony held at Naval Aviation Base on Friday.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Asif Sandila was the chief guest on the occasion. Keeping in view that rotary wing assets have and continue to be a vital part of search and rescue as well as training operations throughout the world, the Alouette Helicopters have additional designed ability for command liaison and other utility features. Pakistan Navy has retrofitted these helicopters to perform important operational functions including armed recce to augment ground security as well as supporting other maritime operations.
Sandila said Pakistan Naval Aviation had come a long way and matured into a well-established and highly professional component of the fleet. He reiterated that today geo-political as well as the maritime environment in our region is complex and fluid. It requires Pakistan Navy to shoulder more challenging tasks for maritime security in the region, besides maintaining combat readiness against the traditional threats.
“Pakistan Navy has always remained alive to the importance of aviation. Despite limited resources, modernisation, upgradation and replacement of aviation platforms have always been accorded high priority,” he said.  The admiral further said induction of these versatile platforms had added value to the fleet’s overall capabilities and it would further strengthen the Naval Air Arm. The ceremony was attended by veteran naval aviators, senior naval officers, CPOs/sailors, civilians and military dignitaries.