The Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft were inducted into the newly reinstated 222 Tigersharks Squadron of the Indian Airforce on Monday at Thanjavur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu. The new squadron is all set to enhance the IAF’s air defence capability and ensure vigil over the strategically important Indian Ocean Region, according to a Defence release.
It is the second frontline fighter squadron of IAF to be based in South India, the earlier one being in Coimbatore. However, Thanjavur is the first Sukhoi-30 Squadron of the Southern Air Command.
Air Force Station in Thanjavur was dedicated to the nation on May 27, 2013 with the primary aim of strengthening the air defence capabilities under Southern Air Command (SAC), headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram.
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Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat inducted the Sukhoi-30, 222 squadron “Tigersharks,” in the presence of top officials including Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.
The Su-30 MKI is a state-of-the-art, all-weather multi-role fighter aircraft capable of undertaking air defence, ground attack and maritime missions.
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Moreover, in December 2019, Indo-Russian BrahMos Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) was successfully launched by the IAF the from the Russian Su-30 MKI against a sea target.
This station was mandated to protect economic interests and assets in Southern peninsula in Indian Ocean region.
The presence of two airbases-Tanjavur and Coimbatore will hugely enhance the operational capability of IAF in the southern region.
(With PTI inputs)
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