Karach (Khyber Mail): As Pakistan inducts its advanced “Sea Sultan” Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (LRMPA), comparisons with India’s Boeing P-8I Neptune reveal how both nations are enhancing their naval air capabilities to secure their maritime domains.
The Pakistan Navy’s Sea Sultan, based on the Embraer Lineage 1000E, boasts a range of 8,000 km and state-of-the-art sensors, including Seaspray 7500E AESA radar and MX-20 EO/IR systems. Designed for multi-mission roles, it excels in anti-ship, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), ISR, and SAR operations, bolstering Pakistan’s ability to protect its coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
On the other hand, India’s Naval Air Arm employs the highly advanced Boeing P-8I Neptune. Equipped with Harpoon missiles, lightweight torpedoes, and advanced sensors, the P-8I specializes in ASW, ISR, and anti-surface warfare. Its range of over 1,200 nautical miles and integration with MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones provide unmatched precision and surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Both navies complement their fleets with diverse assets. Pakistan operates P-3C Orion aircraft, Harbin Z-9 helicopters, and indigenous GIDS Uqab drones, while India relies on carrier-based MiG-29Ks, MH-60R Seahawks, and Dornier 228 aircraft for maritime patrol.
As tensions rise in the region, these developments highlight the growing importance of air-based maritime capabilities in securing sea lanes, protecting national interests, and projecting power across critical waterways. Both nations are investing in modernization to adapt to the evolving security landscape.