The naval air station of Eastern Naval Command (ENC), INS Dega is all set to become a base for fighter squadrons, following the induction of the Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft here Wednesday. Further, Visakhapatnam will shortly be the base for operating the second squadron of MiG 29K as well, thereby enhancing the capabilities of the Indian Navy on the eastern seaboard.
Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the induction ceremony, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi said that the naval aviation is poised for a big expansion and INS Dega would have a prominent role as the first airbase for naval fighter aircraft on the eastern seaboard. It would be fully operational by the time the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant would be commissioned in 2017. An array of maritime reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters are already operating from this premier Naval Air Station on the eastern seaboard.
INS Vikramaditya will be commissioned into the force on Nov 16 with a base at Western Naval Command headquarters.
However, ENC flag officer commanding-in- chief vice-admiral Anil Chopra said that the Indian Navy is reactivating the old World War II airstrip near Bobbili as an alternative airfield. At present the alternative airfields for aircraft operating out of INS Dega are Bhubhaneswar or Hyderabad.
