Chennai Airport to be used as naval airbase for greater maritime surveillance

The Chennai International Airport will also be used as an operational naval airbase for intensifying maritime surveillance over the Bay of Bengal and Palk Bay. A new surveillance squadron of Dornier aircraft was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh on July 22 to operate from Chennai.

This is the third naval airbase in Tamil Nadu, with the other two located at Arakkonam (INS Rajali) and Ramnad (INS Parundu).

"The developing geo-political situation in the Region needs to be monitored constantly. It is, therefore, necessary, to maintain surveillance over the Bay of Bengal, Pak Bay and adjoining areas," Admiral Karambir Singh said, while commissioning the new air squadron, INAS 313 at Chennai. India seeks enhanced maritime domain awareness in the Region for faster response to emerging challenges, he said.

Twelve new Dornier aircraft are being acquired for increased maritime reconnaisance. These will be made in India at HAL under license from RUAG Aerospace. The new Dorniers will be equipped with a glass cockpit and improved sensors, including an advanced surveillance radar, electronic intelligence, optical sensors and networking features

Admiral Singh expressed the confidence that the strategic role of the squadron will give India dominance over the North-Eastern part of the Indian Ocean, including the busiest trade routes.

INAS 313 is the Indian Navy's fifth Dornier squadron. Twelve new Dornier aircraft are being acquired for increased maritime reconnaisance. These will be made in India at HAL under license from RUAG Aerospace. The new Dorniers will be equipped with a glass cockpit and improved sensors, including an advanced surveillance radar, electronic intelligence, optical sensors and networking features.

The Dornier is a short range maritime reconnaisance (SRMR) aircraft which provides targeting data to weaponised platforms.