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| An unmanned aerial vehicle of Indian Navy is ready to take off from INS Parundu. Photo: L. Balachandar |
The Indian Navy is all set to commission its first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadron on the East Coast at Uchipuli near here soon.
It is considered a significant step towards strengthening maritime surveillance and reconnaissance in Palk Strait, Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay off the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coast. The commissioning of the UAV squadron near Rameswaram assumes significance not only due to its close proximity to Sri Lanka but also due to the strategic importance of the region.
It has been christened INAS 344 and it will be operated from INS Parundu, a naval air station. It will be the third UAV squadron of the Navy. Established in 2006, the Indian Navy's first UAV squadron, INAS 342 in Kochi, already performs operational missions as well as training. The 2 squadron was commissioned at Porbandar in Guajarat in 2011.
Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday Captain A..B. Bellary, Commanding Officer, INS Parundu said the squadron would comprise four units of two Israeli-built Searcher and Heron UAVs. It would effectively strengthen maritime security and surveillance along the strategic region of the East Coast.
It would have 50 sailors and 12 officers. Two of the 4 aircraft, which were tested and operated at Kochi squadron, had already been brought to INS Parundu. The remaining two aircraft would reach soon.
“It is an important milestone as far as maritime surveillance of the region is concerned. It will be handy for surveillance, mapping, data collection, tracking, analysis and other operations,” says Mr. Bellary.
Commander Vinit Anand, Commanding Officer, INAS 344, said that the UAVs could remain airborne for 8 to 10 hours comfortably. Searcher aircraft could reach higher altitude of over 15000 feet. Heron was medium range and long endurance aircraft and it was a highly sophisticated UAV for high altitude operation fitted with radar, camera and others.
“Right now our focus is on training and improving the operational proficiency of our personnel in operating UAVs. It will be immensely useful for intensive training, coastal mapping, collection of data and others,” he added.
Mr. Bellary said all necessary infrastructure such as hangar, control room, maintenance facilities, building and others had already been established. The sanctioned personnel for UAV squadron had undergone intensive training for operating UAVs and receiving data.
-THE HINDU
