Naval Air Division
A small naval air component flew a modest inventory of
helicopters and light aircraft in reconnaissance, patrol,
antisubmarine warfare, and search-and-rescue missions.
Naval aviation is seen as a priority in the navy; it currently has a strength of 1,200. Significant plans have been made to develop more naval aviation assets. Improvements include three P-3A Orion maritime patrol aircraft equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missiles acquired in 1995 and plans to acquire Kaman SH-2 Seasprite shipborne helicopters for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations from the new frigates are still under consideration - six medium-size helicopters are to be ordered in the near future (the Kamov Ka-27 is a possible alternative to the Seasprite).
