Pakistan Navy inducts two U.S. maritime patrol aircraft

In an induction ceremony held today at PNS Mehran, Karachi, U.S. and Pakistani officials commemorated the delivery of two P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft to the Government of Pakistan from the United States. The aircraft will enhance the Pakistan Navy's maritime patrol operations. Approximately 250 U.S. and Pakistani officials attended the ceremony, including Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff, ADM Noman Bashir, U.S. Consul General Steve Faken, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata. "The delivery of these aircraft to Pakistan demonstrates the U.S. Government's commitment to a long-term, strategic partnership with Pakistan-one based on shared interests and mutual respect, that will continue to expand and deepen in future years," said Brig. Gen. Nagata. The aircraft were transferred to the Pakistan Navy during a ceremony in Jacksonville, Fla., on April 30, and flown to Pakistan by U.S. and Pakistan Navy aircrews. By 2012, the Pakistan Navy will receive a total of eight P-3C aircraft. During the last three years, U.S. civilian and security assistance to Pakistan has totaled more than $4 billion. Assistance has included support for medical aid, school refurbishment, bridge and well reconstruction, food distribution, agricultural and education projects. Specific security assistance includes 14 F-16 fighter aircraft, 10 Mi-17 and two Bell 412EP helicopters, five fast patrol boats, 115 Howitzer self-propelled field artillery cannons, more than 450 vehicles for Pakistan's Frontier Corps, hundreds of night vision goggles, day/night scopes, radios, and thousands of protective vests and first-aid items for Pakistan's security forces.