Dornier Aircraft – Indian Navy commissions fifth Squadron
The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned its new Dornier Aircraft Squadron in Chennai on Monday. It is aimed at better surveillance.
The new air squadron was scheduled by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff at the Naval Air Enclave, Meenambakkam, Indian Navy said.
The fifth Dornier squadron will help India track of the growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
The need was felt to create an operational air base at Chennai in order to enable better surveillance in the region, Adm Karambir Singh said during his address.
He added that the squadron would provide significant maritime surveillance capability.
It would contribute to enhanced maritime domain awareness, as well as enable faster response to emerging challenges.
The squadron will operate the indigenous Hindustan Aeronautical built maritime surveillance version multi-role Dornier 228 Short Range Maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
It will operate from Chennai airport.
The Dornier aircraft is fitted with state-of-the-art sensors and equipment which include advanced surveillance radar,
electronic sensors and networking features that would enhance maritime domain awareness of the Indian Navy and be a force multiplier during search and rescue operations.
Commissioning of the air squadron under Eastern Naval Command would further strengthen Indian Navy’s efforts in maintaining constant surveillance
Safe guarding maritime interests in the eastern seaboard of India, the Indian Navy said.
