SEARCH AND STRIKE
Seaking helicopters constitute the 111 ASW/ASV squadron of the naval air arm. The squadron was established in 1975 with the induction of Seaking MK 42 helicopters from UK. These helicopters are based at Naval Air Station, PNS Mehran at Karachi, but they are capable to operate from various secondary bases located along the coast. Additionally these helicopters regularly operate from surface units of the fleet.
The squadron motto of ‘Search and Strike’ exactly depicts the nature of operations of this squadron. These helicopters have requisite sensors and weapons suite onboard with which it can Search, Locate, Track and kill the surface or sub-surface targets. In ASV role the helicopter carries Air to Surface Missiles to destroy hostile surface combatants, whereas in ASW the Seaking is capable to carry Torpedoes to neutralize enemy subsurface units. The torpedoes can also be replaced by a depth charge to destroy enemy subsurface units in shallow waters or at snorkel.
The squadron also forms backbone of Search and Rescue organization. The squadron has operated in all type of terrain extending from valleys and mountains of Azad Kashmir during the recent earth quake relief operations to the shores of Tsunami hit countries of South East Asia. These helicopters are ever ready to save precious human life as integral part of SAR organization for both military and civil purposes.
Seaking helicopters constitute the 111 ASW/ASV squadron of the naval air arm. The squadron was established in 1975 with the induction of Seaking MK 42 helicopters from UK. These helicopters are based at Naval Air Station, PNS Mehran at Karachi, but they are capable to operate from various secondary bases located along the coast. Additionally these helicopters regularly operate from surface units of the fleet.
The squadron motto of ‘Search and Strike’ exactly depicts the nature of operations of this squadron. These helicopters have requisite sensors and weapons suite onboard with which it can Search, Locate, Track and kill the surface or sub-surface targets. In ASV role the helicopter carries Air to Surface Missiles to destroy hostile surface combatants, whereas in ASW the Seaking is capable to carry Torpedoes to neutralize enemy subsurface units. The torpedoes can also be replaced by a depth charge to destroy enemy subsurface units in shallow waters or at snorkel.
The squadron also forms backbone of Search and Rescue organization. The squadron has operated in all type of terrain extending from valleys and mountains of Azad Kashmir during the recent earth quake relief operations to the shores of Tsunami hit countries of South East Asia. These helicopters are ever ready to save precious human life as integral part of SAR organization for both military and civil purposes.