First Sukhoi aircraft base in Indian Ocean Region established

India's First Fighter Squadron in Southern Peninsula to protect Indian Ocean Region...

India sets up its first Sukhoi fighter aircraft base in Tamil Nadu, the southern part of the country. This new base will fulfill India's vast interests to tackle and  protect itself from threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Defence Minister A K Antony inaugurated the airbase yesterday at Thanjavur. He said, "The establishment of the premier fighter base is important in the view of the current geo-political scenario and threat perception in the peninsular region and in the Indian Ocean. It will help protect our island territories and sea lines of communication in the IOR."

This station is expected to play a key role in providing protection to various strategic, sensitive, industrial, aerospace and economic assets that are coming up in southern part of the country.

The station is under the control of the Southern Air Command. By the end of 2017-18, a full squadron of 16 to 18 Su-30MKI combat aircraft will be deployed at this base, which will make India capable of keeping a close vigil on the IOR.

The air base is ready to undertake fighter, transport aircraft and helicopter operations and detachments of these aircraft will be planned every year. Further in future it is also intended to house an array of IAF platforms in the future including Su-30 MKIs, Medium Transport Aircraft, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) and a Medium Power Radar on build up of further infrastructure.

The Indian Air Force is also planning to deploy its Israeli Searcher or Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at the air base in the future.

According to, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne in future the strategic importance of the Thanjavur base will grow in stature.

Details of Thanjavur Air Base:

• First constructed in 1940 by the Royal Air Force (RAF).
• During the period 1942-45, the RAF operated Hudson, Wellington 1C, Hurricane and Thunderbolt aircraft from this airfield.