Thanjavur, Jan 20 (UNI) In a major boost to India's defence preparedness and to enhance the operational capability, the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft was inducted into the newly reinstated
222 Tigersharks Squadron of the Indian Air Force at the Air Force Station here on Monday.
The Brahmos missile equipped Sukhoi-30 MKI is a super-manoeuvrable fighter aircraft and was
inducted in the air base in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat.
This is the second frontline fighter squadron of IAF to be based in South India after the Sulur Air
base in Coimbatore.
Thanjavur also became the first Sukhoi-30 Squadron of the Southern Air Command (SAC).
The Thanjavur Air Force Station was dedicated to the Nation on May 27, 2013 by then Defence Minister A K Antony with the primary aim of strengthening the air defence capabilities under the
SAC, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram.
This station was mandated to protect economic interests and assets in Southern peninsula in
Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The presence of two airbases--Thanjavur and Coimbatore will significantly enhance the operational capability of IAF in the southern region.
The induction of Sukhoi-30 MKI comes in the backdrop of India successfully conducting five flight tests of the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) 'Astra' from Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter platform, off Odisha coast.
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