Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

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Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by Abbas Ali »

Good Bye Atlantic

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September 5 - Today, Pakistan Navy at a ceremony held at PNS Mehran Naval Air Station, Karachi, phased out veteran Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic reconnaissance/patrol/anti-submarine/anti-ship aircraft. Atlantic aircraft serial number '94' was present at this ceremony.

The twin-engine turboprop aircraft type served Pakistan Navy for 36 years from 1976 to 2012 and flew a total of 7,700 missions accumulating more than 28,000 flight hours.

Quoted below is information on Pakistan Navy website (www.paknavy.gov.pk) about 29 Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron (ASW) that was raised with the induction of Atlantic aircraft in 1976.
ATLANTIC
29 ASW SQUADRON


The Squadron was raised in the aftermath of the analysis of 1971 War. It was established that lack of early warning from the seaward i.e., absence of PN air surveillance capability allowed the Indian Navy Ships to close Karachi harbour for attacks. The basic aim, therefore, was to acquire an efficient air surveillance asset and achieve additional benefits like ASW, SAR and photographic capabilities. After studying various available options, the French Atlantics were selected and acquisition formalities were completed in 1974. Finally the Squadron was raised in 1976, with three Atlantics. As the raising year of 1976 coincided with 29th year of independence of Pakistan, this also became the reason to name "29 ASW Squadron". The prefix ‘ASW’ highlights the Anti Submarine Warfare credentials of the aircraft i.e., to accomplish all the phases of ASW, right from initial detection to the eventual destruction of enemy submarine, all by itself.

In 1989, PN Atlantics were modified to fire Exocet Missile. With this modification, PN Atlantics became the first LRMPs to acquire ASV capability. Even the French Atlantics, at that time, did not have this advantage. To maintain a qualitative edge in the field of LRMP operations, PN Atlantics were modified with state of the art French sensors like ESM, Acoustic Processor, Radar, Navigation System etc, in the mid nineties. The latest sensors have made PN Atlantic Fleet second to none in the region and at par with the latest French Atlantic-II and other modernised LRMPs of the world.

Atlantic is being utilized in almost every facet of Naval Operations. This aircraft because of its inherent advantages of multi role capability, high operational endurance, counter detection advantage, weapon superiority and being uniquely suited for immediate response across the wide spectrum of conflict has become an ideal choice of every force commander. PN Atlantics is by far, the fastest player in the Maritime Warfare scenarios affecting Pakistan. The PN Atlantics are integral to almost all the naval operations perceived to be undertaken by PN Fleet.

Source: www.paknavy.gov.pk
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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by Abbas Ali »

Pakistan Navy Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic (serial# 94) at aircraft type's retirement ceremony held at PNS Mehran Naval Air Station, Karachi, on September 5, 2012. A newly inducted Lockheed P-3C Orion (serial# 80) is also seen.

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PTV News report.


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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by ConnieMan »

So what's the future of these Navy's historic Breguet Br.1150 Atlantics, will they be preserved, sold to other countries or will see there fate as BAT will see soon as others have already...
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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by Abbas Ali »

At least one Atlantic (sporting serial number 53) is already preserved at Pakistan Maritime Museum in Karachi.

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Breguet Atlantic by ASKYZ, on Flickr

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by Abbas Ali »

According to an old aviation publication that I have in my collection, Pakistan purchased three refurbished former Aéronavale (French Naval Aviation) Atlantic aircraft in 1975 and a fourth former Marine Luchtvaart Dienst - MLD (Netherlands Naval Aviation Service) Atlantic aircraft in 1980s.

These four Atlantic airframes were:

1
Construction number: 33 (former Aéronavale aircraft)
Serial number: 91 (previously serial# 33)
Code: AR-NZA
Fate: Shot down by an Indian Air Force MiG-21 over Rann of Kutch area on August 10, 1999.

Art work showing Pakistan Navy Atlantic serial# 33.
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2
Construction number: 40 (former Aéronavale aircraft)
Serial Number: 92 (previously serial# 40)
Code: AR-NZB

Breguet Br-1150 Atlantic serial# 92 (construction number 40) seen at Quetta International Airport/Samungli Air Base on February 23, 2011.
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Click here to see large photo.

3
Construction number: 46 (former Aéronavale aircraft)
Serial number: 46
Code: AR-NZC
Probably became serial number 93 ? Caught fire and damaged (beyond repair?) during maintenance work in Karachi in 1980s?

4
Construction number: 63 (former Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD) aircraft – was flown under designation Breguet SP-13A Atlantic by MLD).
Probably it became serial number 94 that was seen at Atlantic retirement ceremony in Karachi on September 5?

In mid-1990s Pakistan acquired three more ex- Aéronavale Atlantic aircraft primarily as spares source. These three Atlantic airframes were probably:

Construction number: 53 (former Aéronavale aircraft) - preserved at Pakistan Maritime Museum in Karachi.
Construction number: 56 (former Aéronavale aircraft)
Construction number: 57 (former Aéronavale aircraft)

Seems serial numbers 92 and 94 were the only two active Atlantic aircraft at the time of aircraft type's retirement on September 5, 2012.

It’s very hard to confirm/verify information about Pakistan Navy Atlantic airframes. So, any correction/addition in information posted here will be appreciated.

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by ConnieMan »

It's great to see atleast 1 airframe has been preserved for present and future generations to see.

I doubt anyone would want to buy these retired aircrafts in this day and age, soi more then likely they will be parked somewhere for some time and then will be scrapped. It sure is very unique and interesting aircraft to see.
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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by affan »

Recall rann of kutch shot down?
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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by Abbas Ali »

Still image taken from head-up display (HUD) recording showing air-to-air missile fired by Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 streaking towards Pakistan Navy Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic (c/n 33) over Rann of Kutch area on August 10, 1999.

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Photo Source: bharat-rakshak.com

Btw, was movement of this IAF MiG-21 so close to Pakistan-India border not monitored/detected by Pakistan's air defence system/radar to alert Atlantic crew and direct the surveillance aircraft to return deep into Pakistan air space to avoid interception? And, were any Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters scrambled or any already airborne PAF fighter directed to fly towards the area where Atlantic and MiG-21 came dangerously close to each other?

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by pk363 »

Abbas Ali wrote:Btw, was movement of this IAF MiG-21 so close to Pakistan-India border not monitored/detected by Pakistan's air defence system/radar to alert Atlantic crew and direct the surveillance aircraft to return deep into Pakistan air space to avoid interception? And, were any Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters scrambled or any already airborne PAF fighter directed to fly towards the area where Atlantic and MiG-21 came dangerously close to each other?
This is true that PAF didnt respond to intercept the Indian Migs in our air space, but IMO hitting a non combat aircraft that is not able to defend itself is extremely condenmable and only IAF can do such cheap acts.
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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by Abbas Ali »

^ Altantic although unable to defend itself but comes under military aircraft category because of its surveillance/reconnaissance equipment and anti-ship/anti-submarine armament.

In military aviation, there are many incidents where such type of military aircraft and even general aviation and commercial aircraft became targets of fighter aircraft or surface-to-air missiles in tense situations.
nd wrote:Image
Looks like serial number '91' (construction number 33).

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by nd »

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

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Pakistan Navy Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic serial number 33 (construction number 33) photographed in 1975 before delivery flight to Pakistan.

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by Abbas Ali »

In today's (December 28) newspaper, saw this notice given by Pakistan Navy for auction of miscellaneous items including "Unserviceable 01 x Fuselage of ATL-93 with Accessories and Ground Handling Items".

Probably it's Pakistan Navy Atlantic serial number 93 (construction number 46) ex-serial number 46 ?

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Other items being auctioned are unserviceable accessories and ground handling equipment of Fokker F27 Friendship.

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Re: Pakistan Navy Phases Out Breguet Atlantic Aircraft

Post by nopy99 »

pk363 wrote:
This is true that PAF didnt respond to intercept the Indian Migs in our air space, but IMO hitting a non combat aircraft that is not able to defend itself is extremely condenmable and only IAF can do such cheap acts.
A similar incident happened between China and US aircraft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Island_incident
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