Hassan Guy
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Pakistan's aviation sector has played a great role in the country's society, economy and military. Recently over the past few decades the country (mainly the military) has launched efforts to establish an industry for indigenization and production of its aircraft, with great success. It jointly developed a modern day fighter jet, co-produced an advanced trainer, and developed a basic trainer which has also seen civilian use. While these aircraft hold significant importance and are a huge achievement, one of the most neglected aircraft is also one of the most important.
The Turboprop:
The turboprop aircraft has huge role in Pakistan's civilian and economic sector:
An article by aviation benefits highlight the economic advantages a turboprop aircraft can bring to a country including low costs and low fuel consumption. http://aviationbenefits.org/case-studies/turboprop-aircraft-key-drivers-to-economic-growth/
The Pakistan International Airlines has several ATR-42's and ATR-72's in service. You would believe that after a tragic crash last year of an ATR-42 would be reason enough to improve and localize logistics and maintenance of the aircraft and its engines - but apparently it wasn't.
The turboprop aircraft has incredibly significant importance in Pakistan's military.
Aircraft such as the AN-26, C-130 and Saab 2000 serve important roles as military transport planes.
Along with transport they have electronic warfare role as well. The Shanxi ZDK-03 and Saab Erieye play the vital role as the Pakistan air force's AWACS. You would believe that after Sweden refused to repair Pakistan's AWAC's which where damaged in a terrorist attack would be enough to start production of a locally built similar aircraft to reduce foreign reliance - but apparently it wasn't.
The turboprop also plays significant role in Pakistan's naval aviation. ATR-72's, Fokker F27's, and P-3 Orions play roles of anti-sub warfare and naval surveillance. You would believe Pakistan's strained relations with the US would be enough to deter it from increasing its reliance on them - but apparently it isn't.
Obviously one would say why not continue buying them from France and China, but unfortunately thats the kind of think which will keep Pakistan behind industrially and technologically. Looking into regional developments:
India has started producing its own AWAC's albeit on a foreign design and not a turboprop.
Iran has licence built An-142's for its civil aviation industry.
Saudi Arabia has jointly produced the AN-132 with Ukraine. (It can carry 9,200kg of cargo, 72 soldiers and 27 stretchers)
In short there is high demand for the turboprop aircraft. As the country will look to indigenize production of aircraft and enhance the aviation industry the turboprop aircraft is the way to go as it is an incredibly versatile platform.
The Turboprop:
The turboprop aircraft has huge role in Pakistan's civilian and economic sector:
An article by aviation benefits highlight the economic advantages a turboprop aircraft can bring to a country including low costs and low fuel consumption. http://aviationbenefits.org/case-studies/turboprop-aircraft-key-drivers-to-economic-growth/
The Pakistan International Airlines has several ATR-42's and ATR-72's in service. You would believe that after a tragic crash last year of an ATR-42 would be reason enough to improve and localize logistics and maintenance of the aircraft and its engines - but apparently it wasn't.
The turboprop aircraft has incredibly significant importance in Pakistan's military.
Aircraft such as the AN-26, C-130 and Saab 2000 serve important roles as military transport planes.
Along with transport they have electronic warfare role as well. The Shanxi ZDK-03 and Saab Erieye play the vital role as the Pakistan air force's AWACS. You would believe that after Sweden refused to repair Pakistan's AWAC's which where damaged in a terrorist attack would be enough to start production of a locally built similar aircraft to reduce foreign reliance - but apparently it wasn't.
The turboprop also plays significant role in Pakistan's naval aviation. ATR-72's, Fokker F27's, and P-3 Orions play roles of anti-sub warfare and naval surveillance. You would believe Pakistan's strained relations with the US would be enough to deter it from increasing its reliance on them - but apparently it isn't.
Obviously one would say why not continue buying them from France and China, but unfortunately thats the kind of think which will keep Pakistan behind industrially and technologically. Looking into regional developments:
India has started producing its own AWAC's albeit on a foreign design and not a turboprop.
Iran has licence built An-142's for its civil aviation industry.
Saudi Arabia has jointly produced the AN-132 with Ukraine. (It can carry 9,200kg of cargo, 72 soldiers and 27 stretchers)
In short there is high demand for the turboprop aircraft. As the country will look to indigenize production of aircraft and enhance the aviation industry the turboprop aircraft is the way to go as it is an incredibly versatile platform.
