US to provide Pak two advanced P-3C Orion naval surveillance aircrafts

Washington, Apr.30 (ANI): The United States would be providing two upgraded P-3C Orion surveillance aircrafts to Pakistan to boost its maritime security capabilities.

Pakistan is due to get seven of these reconnaissance aircrafts, out of which the first three would be handed over to it during a ceremony in Jacksonville, Florida, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Embassy in Washington said.

The spokesperson underlined that the acquisition of the latest aircraft reflects the growing cooperation between the US and Pakistani navies.

Pakistan currently commands the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, and the US aims to strengthen its maritime capability so that it can effectively protect the vast sea-lanes, which come under the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan.

The Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan stretches from Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, covering 2.4 million sq miles and bordering 14 nations along the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Horn of Africa and Red Sea, The Daily Times reports.

Pakistan is also acquiring 30-year old US frigate USS McInerney 'free of cost' under the foreign military funding. (ANI)