IAF , South Western Air Command ( SWAC ) .

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Nod for converting Gujarat's Deesa Airport as an IAF air base

By Frontier India - Indian Defence | September 3rd, 2011 | Category: Indian Air force News

The Ministry of Defence has given its go ahead to the Indian Air force to develop Deesa Airport in North Gujarat as a full fledged air base. "We had mooted this proposal to the Defence Ministry, which has granted approval. The first phase of the project will cost over Rs 3,000 crore," informed Air Marshal A K Gogoi Commanding in Chief, South Western Air Command (SWAC) on Thursday. It is close to the Pakistani border. Air Marshal A K Gogoi was talking to the press after induction of 25 squadron at IAF station in Vadodara. The IAF base at Jodhpur will have a permanent squadron of SU-30 fighter jets in the next couple of years, he said.

Two squadrons armed with Akash, the medium range surface to-air missile, are set to be deployed in Pune and Gwalior. Six more squadrons will be deployed for checking any threat from China, Gogoi added.

With respect to the shortage of aircrafts he said "IAF is expecting to expand the fleet of its fighters after 2012. This will lead to increase in the number of squadrons." On Upgraded Mig-29"²s he said "We are getting upgraded MIG aircraft from Russia. Five such aircraft are expected to arrive soon."

"SWAC is in the process of strengthening surveillance by inducting a few state-of-the-art Medium Power Radars (MPRs). The MPR has been developed with a view to detect small targets at ranges greater than 300 km," Gogoi said.

Speaking about the 25 Squadron, known as Himalayan Eagle', he said it was formed on 1st March 1963 in the wake of 1962 Chinese aggression in the Northern Sector. The unit, equipped with AN-32 aircraft, has been adjudged the best transport unit in the IAF three times.

http://http://frontierindia.net/indiandefence/nod-for-converting-gujarats-deesa-airport-as-an-iaf-air-base/

 

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IAF's Sukhois to roar close to Pakistan border

October 01, 2011
by N.C. Bipindra

New Delhi: India's topline Sukhoi Su-30 combat planes will permanently roar over Rajasthan's skies, with the Indian Air Force deploying from Saturday a squadron of the air superiority fighter jets at the Jodhpur air base, from where the Pakistan border is a mere two minute flight away.

"This will be the first time a squadron of the Su-30MKI aircraft is being based in Rajasthan, that too close to Pakistan border," a defence ministry official told IANS here Friday.

With the induction of the Sukhoi squadron in Rajasthan, the Indian Air Force's (IAF) strike capability has been ramped up considerably.

"The squadron will formally assume its duties with effect from Oct 1 from Jodhpur air base," defence spokesperson at Jodhpur Col. S.D. Goswami told IANS.

"The squadron taking to the Western sector skies -- with its lethal strike force, multi-role function and weaponry carrying capability -- will give unassailable advantage to IAF in this sector," Goswami said.

The twin-engined Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30, with a capacity to touch 2 Mach or 2,450 kmph speeds, are now produced under licence in India.

These war birds are set to get deadlier with the integration of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile very soon. The aircraft has a range of 5,200 km and a capacity to carry 8,000 kg of warheads.

The Sukhoi squadron will have 16 aircraft in its inventory.

The planes have already arrived Jodhpur from Pune in Maharashtra, where they were previously based, officials said.


India Defence - IAF's Sukhois to roar close to Pakistan border