Off-topic so forgive me, but WTF are those hangars? Even if they are HAS, should they not be dispersed a little more (ok a lot more)?
Tell me if I am wrong, but it looks like poor design to me, no offense to the UAE Air Force.
http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/...m-altitude-long-endurance-drones.79567/page-5
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'All-weather maintenance structures will provide protection to the aircraft'
The coming summer might be relatively cooler for Sukhoi aircraft fleet at city's Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Lohegaon. The station, a home to two squadrons of the country's frontline fighter, has installed
All-Weather Maintenance Shelters for the aircraft parked at the station which will protect them from harmful ultraviolet rays of direct sun. So far, the aircraft would be covered by canvas while parked on the tarmac.
Speaking to The Indian Express, an IAF officer said,
"Maintenance shelters have been installed at IAF Lohegaon station and have been in place now for about a month or so. The metal-fibre structures are capable of accommodating one aircraft each." Two squadrons of Sukhoi-30 MKI, fighter No. 30 squadron - Rhinos and No. 20 squadron - Lightenings, are stationed at the IAF Lohegaon Station. Third squadron, No. 31 squadron - Lions, was relocated to Jodhpur in September. Maintenance shelters have also been erected at other IAF bases where Sukhois are stationed. The light weight structures are such that even if they fall, the aircraft systems are not damaged.
Sections of the media had reported that the IAF decided to put the maintenance shelters in the aftermath of the Sukhoi-30 MKI crash near Pune. Media reports had also suggested that the crash was a result of exposing the air dominance fighter to harmful ultraviolet rays which resulted in damaging the aircraft's critical systems but the officials rubbished the reports saying the process was initiated about a year ago.
A quick search revealed that the IAF had started the process for shelters in December 2010, a year prior to the Pune crash.
"One cannot put two plus two in such cases. If UV rays are to be given a thought, then they are more direct when the aircraft is flying at higher attitudes. The plan has been under consideration for quite some time. In fact, we had made such shelters a part of the original project when we were drafting the contract for Hawk aircraft," said an IAF officer.
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actually IAF is building this 'poor design' here and there for years...
standard auxiliary facility for modern fighting aircrafts.
and the retractable forward deploying shelter