222 Squadron PN explained

Unit Name:222 Squadron
Native Name:۲۲۲ سکواڈرن
Dates:Since 1994
Branch:Pakistan Naval Air Arm
Type:Squadron
Role:Anti-submarine warfare & Anti-surface warfare
Garrison:PNS Mehran
Garrison Label:Station
Nickname:Stingrays
Colours:-->
Colours Label:-->
Mascot:A Stingray
Anniversaries:8 September (Navy day)
Equipment:Harbin Z-9EC
Equipment Label:Helicopters
Battles Label:Engagements
Aircraft Helicopter Multirole:Harbin Z-9EC
Westland Lynx

222 ASW Squadron also known as the Stingrays is a helicopter squadron from the Pakistan Naval Air Arm which specializes in Anti-submarine warfare. It is stationed at PNS Mehran in Karachi and flies Harbin Z-9EC helicopters out of its home base and various ships of the Pakistan Navy.[1] [2]

Established in 1994 with three Westland Lynx armed choppers acquired from the UK, the 222 Squadron started flying operations from PNS Mehran but faced problems with its Lynx helicopters due to shortage of spares such that by 2008, the squadron had grounded them.[3] [4] In 2009, the Navy purchased 6 modern Z-9EC multi-purpose choppers which were manufactured by Harbin and allotted them to the 222 Squadron. Equipped with Radars, ESM and Sonar equipment, the induction of Z-9ECs restarted flying operations in the 222 squadron.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pakistan Navy ORBATS . Scramble.nl.
  2. Web site: Pakistan's Naval Air Arm . Pakistan Strategic. 23 May 2022 .
  3. Web site: Pakistan Naval Aviation . GlobalSecurity.org.
  4. Web site: Arms transfers database . SIPRI.
  5. Web site: 222 Squadron . 2024-09-13 . Pakistan Navy Official Website.