New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) Aiming to further strengthening the India’s coastal security, the government has sanctioned three new Naval Air Squadrons which are scheduled to be set up in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
It is pertinent to mention that the contract for procurement of 12 Dornier aircraft was signed with HAL (Kanpur) on 29 Dec 16 with delivery commencing in Jan 19. This is a substantial contract for the indigenous HAL built Maritime Surveillance version of the Dornier 228 aircraft.
The two squadrons will be set up in Tamil Nadu while one in Gujarat’s Porbander district.
Besides, the government has also sanctioned manpower towards manning additional aircraft in existing Dornier Surveillance Squadrons in Kerala and Andaman Islands, an Indian Navy spokesperson said.
It is pertinent to mention that the contract for procurement of 12 Dornier aircraft was signed with HAL (Kanpur) on December 29, 2016 with delivery commencing this month.
This is a substantial contract for the indigenous HAL built Maritime Surveillance version of the Dornier 228 aircraft, the spokesperson added.
The new Dornier 228 aircraft being delivered under this contract are fitted with improved ‘state of the art’ sensors and equipment which includes glass cockpit, Advanced Surveillance Radar, ELINT, Optical sensors and networking features.
The aircraft would enhance Maritime Domain Awareness of Indian Navy through round the clock sensor based surveillance and provide targeting data in areas of operation to ward off terror and other threats from sea.
This addition would further strengthen Indian Navy’s efforts at Coastal Security of India’s vast coastline of over seven thousand km.
UNI ASH SHK1931