Southern India's first fighter aircraft base inaugurated at Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)

May 28, 2013

The Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) airbase which was undergoing modernization to cater to increased security and strategic demands has been finally inaugurated. The airbase will strengthen India’s presence over the Indian Ocean region and is the first fighter aircraft base here in southern India where the IAF is stationing its most lethal Su-30MKI combat aircraft. This would be the first ever fighter base in Southern Peninsula under the control of Southern Air Command.
The facility is important in the view of current geo-political scenario and threat perception in the peninsular region and in the Indian Ocean. The full Sukhoi squadron (16 to 18 jets) will be deployed at the base by 2017-18, after the requisites come up over the next few years.
Where are other Sukhoi saquadrons stationed in India?
India has inducted over 170 of the 272 Sukhoi-30MKIs contracted from Russia. The Sukhoi squadrons are currently stationed at Pune, Bareilly, Tezpur, Chabua, Halwara and Jodhpur.
Sukhoi-30 MKI:

Also called Flanker-H by NATO
Jointly developed by Russia and India, costs $ 102 million each.
It is a version of lighter Sukhoi Su-30, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.

« Previous Post Next Post »