http://www.indiadaily.com/breaking_news/40220.asp
Jul. 7, 2005
The Indian Navy today commissioned its fourteenth air squadron at its
premier Naval Air Base, INS Hansa at Goa. This air squadron INAS 552 is
the first one to be commissioned after a long gap of fourteen years.
The commissioning was done by S.C. Jamir, Governor of Goa. Almela
Jamir, wife of S.C. Jamir unveiled the plaque. The basic purpose of
this air squadron will be to train pilots for navy's Sea Harrier planes
which are of British make. This air squadron will be under Western
India Naval Command and will be under Rear Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag
Officer in Commanding, Naval Aviation Wing. Rear Admiral Sinha also
said that a new air squadron having MiG 29K will be raised soon with a
purpose to take out the war into enemy territories. This will enhance
Indian Navy's present reach and also bolster the defences. "When the
harrier goes on board the aircraft carrier we will always take the war
to the enemy territory and therefore war has to be fought from the sea
that is what these aircrafts are meant for. That is why I said our
maritime interests. As the technology is advancing we require a little
more advanced weapon system. So MiG 29K has a bigger reach, can fly for
longer. It will have a little more advanced weapon system. As a result
our ability to fight the war away from our homeland has improved. It is
technologically advanced," said Rear Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag
Officer in Commanding, Naval Aviation Wing, Western Naval Command. The
Naval Air Arm is by itself a multi-faceted combat force and maintains
diverse aircrafts as Sea Harrier, Seaking 42B, TU-142M, KM 31, Advance
Light Helicopters and Unmanned Air Vehicles. It is placed at par with
the air wings of the most advanced navy's of the world.
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Regards,
Carlos
