Pakistan Army Aviation Corps - Updated

[fatman17]

Sir,
Fixed guns means that the guns will be bore sighted straight ahead along the nose of helo?
so that makes us converting them into gunships.........

yes possible....sort of a ALH - this is a interim arrangement until the super vipers are delivered.

 

[fatman17]

Army Aviation

History

In 1947, at the time of independence, Pakistan inherited four fabric covered Auster airplanes. These were part of an “Air Observation Post Squadron”, which was deployed in Lahore in support of Punjab Boundary Commission. These four Auster aircrafts were grouped in Chaklala as 1st Air Observation Post flight.

The first important acquisition of Army Aviation was the induction of L-19s in 1958 and OH-13s which were received after the Korean conflict as part of US Aid. 1960s saw induction of Alloutte-III from France and MI-8s from Russia. With the enhanced canvas now possible, the induction of pilots which was being made from Artillery alone was made open to all arms. It became a separate Corps in 1977.

The next important land mark was the induction of Puma Cargo helicopters from France in 1978 and yet another major leap was the Combat Group raised through 20 Cobra helicopters received from USA in 1985. The decade of nineties saw induction of MI-17 helicopters from Russia.

Army Aviation today has a reckonable fleet poised for a definite and critical role be it peace or war.

Role

Army Aviation provides mainly four types of aviation support during operations of the field Army, namely composite or light aircraft support, cargo, combat and high altitude support. Composite support is available at all times, however, availability of cargo and combat support subjects to Army’s overall plans.

Light Aircraft Support
Composite squadron integral to each corps comprises single engine fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Tasking of these aircrafts is:-

Command and liaison.
Conduct Artillery shoots as authorized observers.
Act as Airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC).
Battle field surveillance.
Reconnaissance.
Casualty evacuation.

Cargo Aviation Support
The Cargo Aviation Support comprises cargo helicopters mainly the Pumas and MI-17s. The cargo Aviation support includes the following:-

Shifting of troops, heavy weapons and equipment to the most threatened sectors.
Heliborne and anti heliborne operations in support of offensive and defensive operations.
Support to Aviation Combat Group to establish Aerial Forward Area Arming and Refueling Point (FAARP).
Specialized transfrontier operations to include raids, ambushes etc.
Electronic Warfare Operations.

Combat Aviation Support

The Combat Aviation Support comprises the combination of Attack (Cobras) and Scout helicopters (Jet Rangers) grouped into combat flights in a Combat Squadron. The two combat squadrons form part of Aviation Combat Group.

High Altitude Support

Alouette-III helicopter of French origin was inducted in mid sixties to support the construction of Karakuram Highway. This helicopter proved extremely effective in Northern and AK areas. Siachin conflict, however, confronted Army Aviation with altitudes, where Alouette-III helicopter was stretched to the maximum limits of its capabilities and its load carrying capacity reduced tremendously. A need was felt to induct a suitable high altitude helicopter. Induction of Lama and MI-17 helicopters significantly enhanced Aviation support to troops deployed in high altitudes. However, Alouette-III and Puma helicopters are still operating upto 4000 and 6000 meters respectively. This high altitude aviation support mainly includes:-

Dumping.
Shifting of guns/engineer equipment/ radars etc.
Shifting of troops.
Recce.
Casualty evacuation.
Command and liaison.


Siachin Operations
Early eighties saw Siachin flare up and Alouette-III, Lama and Puma helicopters played an important part. Effort generated in last 5 years in FCNA are as under:-

Flying hours 12255 hours.
Dumping 53572 Tones

United Nation Missions


Somalia

Combat Group elements were deputed for providing security to the United Nation’s mission in 1994. The mission was effectively conducted, and aviation elements were the last to withdraw on completion of assignment. Details are as under:-

Cobra helicopters were provided by United Nations.

Pilots 30
Engineers 9
Troops 454
Hours flown 2480

Sierra Leone United Nation Mission (UNAMSIL)Aviation contingent deputed for UNAMSIL consists of following pilots/helicopters:-

Puma 3
Jet Ranger 3
Cobra 3
Pilots/Engineers 15
JCOs/OR 84


Army Aviation in Support of Friendly Countries

Aviation support has been extended to the friendly countries on numerous occasions for enhancing the friendly ties. Some of these missions are as under:-

Mozambique
In 1976, on the eve of independence of Mozambique, technical support of pilots, engineers and maintenance persons were despatched to Mozambique for making their helicopters airworthy and training of their pilots / technicians.


Bangladesh
2 x UH-1H helicopters along with 6 x pilots and 10 x maintenance persons were sent to Bangladesh for Cyclone Relief operations in 1991.


Sri Lanka May 1971.
2 x Alouette-III helicopters along with flying and maintenance crew were sent to Sri Lanka in May 1971 to assist them in fighting the insurgency.


SAARC Summit.
An Aviation contingent comprising Alouette-III helicopters, 5 x officers and 8 x technicians proceeded to support the Sri Lankan government during SAARC Summit in 1993.


List of Honours and Awards

Sitara-i-Jurat 4

Sitara-i-Basalat 5

Tamgha-i-Basalat 15

 

[mnmaria20]

this is a big matter for getting information

 

[Arsalan]

some of the brother asked for pics , and it was news that Pakistan was going to buy 18 of them. but i think latter AH-1Z was preferred by Pakistan army. for me tiger is very capable attack helicopter. but solid reason for opting king cobra is that Pakistan army is used to it and will be easy to operate it. Also king cobra is double engine and more powerful. Are our present cobras capable to carry helfire ?

brother can you give link to any of these claims.

PA was never going for the Tiger nor the Super Cobra...

there was a rumor that PA is evaluating the tiger but was proved false later. this was discussed to death in a thread on this very forum in Land Forcesm Section

for the Cobras, i am sure that pakistan will be wise enough not to relay on US anymore, not atleast for the purchase of top of the line equipment.

it will be good if PA opts for either of the T-129 or the WZ-10 option!

regards!

 

[Nishan_101]

Aircraft inventory
Vehicle/System/Aircraft Role Quantity Comments
AH-1F/S Cobra Attack helicopter ~16 One squadron supplied in 2010.[17]
AH-1S Cobra Attack helicopter 17
AH-1F Cobra Attack helicopter 20 [18]
Aérospatiale Puma Transport helicopter 30 [19]
Mil Mi-17 Transport helicopter 92 according to world Airforces 2009.[20]
Bell 206 Jet Ranger Utility helicopter 15 [19]
Bell 407 Utility helicopter 45
Bell 412 Utility helicopter 25 [21]
Bell UH-1 Huey Utility helicopter 10
Eurocopter AS-550 Utility helicopter 50
Aérospatiale Alouette III Utility helicopter 40 Being phased out.
Aérospatiale SA-315B Lama Utility helicopter 40 Being phased out.

 

[fatman17]

Aircraft inventory
Vehicle/System/Aircraft Role Quantity Comments
AH-1F/S Cobra Attack helicopter ~16 One squadron supplied in 2010.[17]
AH-1S Cobra Attack helicopter 17
AH-1F Cobra Attack helicopter 20 [18]
Aérospatiale Puma Transport helicopter 30 [19]
Mil Mi-17 Transport helicopter 92 according to world Airforces 2009.[20]
Bell 206 Jet Ranger Utility helicopter 15 [19]
Bell 407 Utility helicopter 45
Bell 412 Utility helicopter 25 [21]
Bell UH-1 Huey Utility helicopter 10
Eurocopter AS-550 Utility helicopter 50
Aérospatiale Alouette III Utility helicopter 40 Being phased out.
Aérospatiale SA-315B Lama Utility helicopter 40 Being phased out.

sorry friend - many inaccuracies in your post!

 

[razgriz19]

Aircraft inventory
Vehicle/System/Aircraft Role Quantity Comments
AH-1F/S Cobra Attack helicopter ~16 One squadron supplied in 2010.[17]
AH-1S Cobra Attack helicopter 17
AH-1F Cobra Attack helicopter 20 [18]
Aérospatiale Puma Transport helicopter 30 [19]
Mil Mi-17 Transport helicopter 92 according to world Airforces 2009.[20]
Bell 206 Jet Ranger Utility helicopter 15 [19]
Bell 407 Utility helicopter 45
Bell 412 Utility helicopter 25 [21]
Bell UH-1 Huey Utility helicopter 10
Eurocopter AS-550 Utility helicopter 50
Aérospatiale Alouette III Utility helicopter 40 Being phased out.
Aérospatiale SA-315B Lama Utility helicopter 40 Being phased out.

pa or paf dont operate bell 407s, and as far as i kno we dont that much mi-17s!

 

[Nishan_101]

so whats the actual fleet is. I man no of choppers plz repli

 

[khurasaan1]

brother can you give link to any of these claims.

PA was never going for the Tiger nor the Super Cobra...

there was a rumor that PA is evaluating the tiger but was proved false later. this was discussed to death in a thread on this very forum in Land Forcesm Section

for the Cobras, i am sure that pakistan will be wise enough not to relay on US anymore, not atleast for the purchase of top of the line equipment.

it will be good if PA opts for either of the T-129 or the WZ-10 option!

regards!

Alhamdolillah:If PA is going for T-129 or WZ-10 i guess this is wise decision...
I seen WZ-ceiling,carry weight,and speed is more than T-129...
But I want PA to be self sufficient in helis industry too in near future...

 

[fatman17]

so whats the actual fleet is. I man no of choppers plz repli

go to the 1st few posts and get your answers!!!

 

[Cha.Cal]

Terror in the Tribal Zone

AFM’s Alan Warnes travels to Pakistan to report on the Army Aviation’s fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda.

detailed report in AirForces Monthly - March 2010 issue !

 

[hassan1]

PAK Army Beech B200 Super King Air undergoing work at Cranfield airport,UK

927 Pakistan Army (080510)6 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

927 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

927 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Blackpearl]

The person manning MG3 in B412 in the pic is wearing high altitude/snow googles, and not aerial gunner's helmet which has integral transparent and tinted visors which flips down. The advantage of wearing helmet is obvious, and visors provide wide field of view in comparison to googles which have very limited field of view, restriced only to front. See the pictures of USA aerial gunners in the same website, in Iraq, and one of my brother refer to one of the gunner as alien, as he was also having his face covered by black cover.

2ndly, aerial gunners should also wear characteristic green nomex flight suits instead of donning standard army uniform. Flight suits are made to aviator's mil spec, they are fire retardent (not to confuse with fire resistant) .
The title page Cobra taking off from Multan is assumed to be having no ammo on board, so you may notice that its exhaust Infra red suppressor is mounted. But in the second page, a cobra is landing in FOB, with visible TOW installed, bit you notice the IR suppressor exhaust is missing, means it is removed to lighten the helo, but it is not a good practice, when operating in Taliban area, known to have SAMs.

 

[fatman17]

The person manning MG3 in B412 in the pic is wearing high altitude/snow googles, and not aerial gunner's helmet which has integral transparent and tinted visors which flips down. The advantage of wearing helmet is obvious, and visors provide wide field of view in comparison to googles which have very limited field of view, restriced only to front. See the pictures of USA aerial gunners in the same website, in Iraq, and one of my brother refer to one of the gunner as alien, as he was also having his face covered by black cover.

2ndly, aerial gunners should also wear characteristic green nomex flight suits instead of donning standard army uniform. Flight suits are made to aviator's mil spec, they are fire retardent (not to confuse with fire resistant) .
The title page Cobra taking off from Multan is assumed to be having no ammo on board, so you may notice that its exhaust Infra red suppressor is mounted. But in the second page, a cobra is landing in FOB, with visible TOW installed, bit you notice the IR suppressor exhaust is missing, means it is removed to lighten the helo, but it is not a good practice, when operating in Taliban area, known to have SAMs.

ad-hoc arrangement as the Bells did not come fitted with the MGs - newer Bells have a MG fitted and the gunner has a proper helmet and gear.

 

[Blackpearl]

ad-hoc arrangement as the Bells did not come fitted with the MGs - newer Bells have a MG fitted and the gunner has a proper helmet and gear.

With due respect sir, it has been more then 6 yeras, Bell 412 are here, and for the same time, Army is involved in WOT, atleast basic dressing of a soldier should be addressed by this time, These aviator helmets are commercially available for few hunderd dollars, and not embargoed., similarly the flight suits are manufactured by garment factories in Karachi.
Flight Helmets - Flight Suits - Aviation Helmets
Flight Helmets - Flight Suits - Aviation Helmets
and for flight suits
Nomex Flight Suit, Flying Gloves - Lyra (Pvt) Ltd
Flying Coverall Manufacturers, Buyers & Suppliers - ECPlaza