The Pakistan Navy inducted its first modern maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) dubbed ‘Sea Sultans’. Pakistan has hired Leonardo to convert three Embraer Lineage 1000 regional jetliners into Sea Sultan long-range maritime patrol aircraft for its Pakistan Navy. Follow-on contracts are expected to bring the total number of Sea Sultans to 10, replacing the country’s long-serving P-3C Orion fleet. Under an additional contract, South Africa’s Paramount Group will handle the pre-conversion mainten ance, repair and overhaul of the aircraft. the contract with Leonardo involves the acquisition of two aircraft, followed by the design, modification, installation and integration of an anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol package.
The Embraer Lineage 1000 is a variant of the Embraer 190 regional jet airliner, launched as a private jet on May 2, 2006. Manufactured by the Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer, the Lineage is advertised as an “ultra-large” business jet with comfortable seating for 19. It boasts a lavish interior, divided into up to 5 sections including an optional bedroom, and a walk-in cargo area at the rear.Brazil is also developing a maritime patrol aircraft program based on conversion of the Lineage 1000 to replace it P-3B Orion fleet, but there appears to be no cooperation between the two programs. Using a commercial turbofan engine-powered aircraft as the basis for an ASW (anti-submarine warfare platform is not unheard of. After all, the U.S. P-8 is a Boeing 737-800 derivative.
