Royal Pakistan Navy came in to being on 14 Aug 1947 when Pakistan ceded from India. The title Royal was dropped in 1956 when Pakistan became an Islamic Republic. To tide Pakistan over until it could develop its own naval architect and warship building programme following the expiry of leases on ex-US Navy warships, discussions were entered with the UK Government. 2 ex-RN Broad Beam Leander Class Frigates were acquired in 1988 and refitted by 1993, together with 6 ex-RN Amazon Class Frigates by 1994, together with 3 Lynx for 222 Squadron.  Naval Aviation was born effectively on 28 May 1974, when the first Westland Sea King Mk45 was delivered and rotary wing operations were also introduced into Pakistan Navy service. A small number of Pakistan's naval assets were effectively impressed into the Bangladesh Navy when it ceded from Pakistan on 26 Mar 1971. Pakistan's Tariq (ex Amazon) Class Frigates, PNS Tariq (F181), PNS Babur (F182), PNS Khaibar (F183), PNS Badr (F184), PNS Shah Jehan (F185) and PNS Tippu Sultan (F186) can operate 1 Lynx or 1 Alouette III. Pakistan's Zulfiquar (ex Broad Beam Leander) Class Frigates, PNS Zulfiquar (F262) and PNS Shamsher (F263) operate 1 Alouette III. Aviation-capable auxilliaries include the ex-Dutch (Poolster Class) Replenishment Oiler, PNS Moawin (A20) with 3 helicopters and the ex-Chinese (Fuqing Class) Fleet Oiler, PNS Nasr (A47) with 1 Sea King Mk45 or 1 Alouette III. pakistan naval air arm has three helicopter squadrons. 111squadron: seaking mk45 222 squadron: lynx helicopters 333 squadron alouette III helicopters
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