The Indian Navy has commissioned its fifth Dornier aircraft squadron in a July 22 ceremony at Naval Air Enclave, Meenambakkam.
The newest squadron, INAS 313, will operate 12 Dornier 228 aircraft built by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) under a production licence from former German aircraft manufacturer Dornier GmbH.
A contract for procurement of 12 Dornier multi-role short range maritime reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft was signed with HAL (Kanpur) in December 2016 with deliveries starting in January 2019.
INAS 313 will be operating from Chennai International Airport. With commissioning of INAS 313, the State of Tamil Nadu will have three naval air bases.
The new Dorniers are fitted with improved sensors and equipment which includes glass cockpits, advanced surveillance radar, ELINT, optical sensors and networking features. The aircraft would enhance Indian Navy’s maritime domain awareness through round the clock sensor based surveillance and provide targeting data in areas of operation to ward off terror and other threats from sea.
“Commissioning of INAS 313 marks yet another milestone in our efforts towards enhancing maritime security and safeguarding our nation’s maritime interests,” Admiral Karambir Singh commented at the ceremony.
Indian Navy Commissions Dornier Squadron INAS 313 at Chennai https://t.co/RUYMeOOE59 pic.twitter.com/bRZXTYVv1c
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 22, 2019