First IAF fighter base in TN

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http://www.asianage.com/india/first-iaf-fighter-base-tn-573

First IAF fighter base in TN

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon have its first fighter air base and a squadron of combat jets in the peninsular region at Sulur in Tamil Nadu. The base will protect strategic installations and maintain Indian air superiority over the Indian Ocean. Work is apace at Sulur on an extended runway, test bays for the flight control system, avionics, radar, special hangars and modern radio and navigation aids. These facilities are being built for fighter jets which will embark on patrol missions over the peninsular region and the Indian Ocean.

Such a full-fledged fighter air base and the decision to position a squadron of combat jets has been prompted by "enhanced capabilities of adversaries" in recent days, top sources in IAF told this newspaper. "There is definitely a need to protect strategic assets in the south given the fact that our adversaries have long range missiles and ship-launched cruise missiles," the sources said. Besides, a combat squadron would help maintain superiority over the Indian Ocean and protect sea routes in that region. "From Sulur it will be easy to do the aerial equivalent of a flag march over Sri Lanka and the Maldives, should the need arise," the sources added.

The IAF has chosen indigenous Tejas fighters to be positioned at Sulur. These fighter jets are due for induction into the air strike wing in December 2010 and have a flying range of 500 km."With mid-air refuelling, the range can be stretched up to 1,000 km for enhanced security cover over the region," sources said. With the airspace south of Sulur being relatively free and far from the prying eyes of neighbours, the squadron of Tejas fighters will be able to work up to operational readiness in peace.

These fighters will also be close to the manufacturing facility, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), here, as well as Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which co-ordinated the indigenous programme, to help tackle maintenance problems. The IAF has ordered 20 Tejas fighters.
 

tarunraju

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LCA, Seriously?



You can bet that by the time it reaches, Colombo, forget Male, a Tejas will have exhausted 4/5th of its effective range. If IAF is serious about vigil over areas as far as BIOT, it needs nothing less than Su-30 MKI.
 

Phenom

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May be that's the reason they are putting LCA there, they don't want to scare off the Srilankans with overt military power. But at the same time, by opening an airbase, they are probably sending a message to Lanka to not let its territory be used by enemy nations like they did in 72.
 

tarunraju

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May be that's the reason they are putting LCA there, they don't want to scare off the Srilankans with overt military power. But at the same time, by opening an airbase, they are probably sending a message to Lanka to not let its territory be used by enemy nations like they did in 72.
Using LCA to send that message is futile, especially when LCA can't scare Lanka.

LCA in Coimbatore (Sulur airfield) looks more of a defensive move than power-projection. However, we can agree that when Sulur is adequately equipped, IAF can always move a Flanker-based squadron from Pune down in a matter of hours.
 

Yusuf

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not only LCA I am sure MKI and MRCA will be stationed there in the future. And no we are sending any message to SL overtly or covertly that its security is under threat as we don't have to do that. No reason to do so. But yes we are sending a message to china that our fighters will be waiting for you in the IOR if you try anything fancy.
It also tells both china and lanka that hambantota is in our fighter range, so keep the port civil and not let china use it for military purpose. It also lets maldives feel secure as we can tell them our fighters are at their disposal anytime the need arises.

Stationing of LCA is just a facade for sure. Its not required there other than for point defense. The bigger toys will surely follow as and when their is enough squadron strength.
 

SATISH

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LCA in SULUR will be the best. It can stay away from the spying eyes of both our enemy and potential rival. The LCA will be there till it gets the IOC and FOC. People tend to forget that Arakonam INS Rajali has the longest landing strip in Asia. And there are fighter bases in Tambaram and Trivandrum. Incase of war the density of airports and landing strips are too thick in the southern region.
 

venom

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If the idea is 2 dominate IOR than we should Place atleast 2 sqd of su-30mki on A&N islands...... we can then control the flow of around 90% of china's shipping...
 

AJSINGH

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PLus IN would also be patrolling the area ,probably with IAC-2 in the future ,also about the range of LCA, it can be supported with Il-78
 

nitesh

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Isn't the range mentioned is too less?
 

Yatharth Singh

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india is increasing its fleet of fighter but not increasing the numbers of air to air refuel planes. Will this not affect the complete use of a fighter features and its range.
 
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Placing a couple of long range Bombers will also be a good idea, along with 1 or 2 P8-I or naval AWACS.
 
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Quickgun Murugan

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Interesting. Sulur airbase is there since World war II operated by the british. IAF have their air-base there for a long time. I cannot believe they did not have fighter jet assistance till now. TN has lot of nuclear facilities to protect and fighter base is important for that. Also, sriharikota in andhra is closer to chennai. Hope they have something to protect those regions.
 

tarunraju

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AP coast is a blind-spot for any potential adversary. It's out of range for Anyone taking off Lanka, as well as Bangladesh, leaving no other ground base from where an air-assault can leave for AP coast, other than from carriers, which China and Pakistan lack. As seat of the Eastern Naval Command, Vizag has the resources to defend AP's coast.

Any air-adversary heading for Sriharikota will have to pass right over Chennai to reach it, where it will be intercepted.
 
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Quickgun Murugan

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Any air-adversary heading for Sriharikota will have to pass right over Chennai to reach it, where it will be intercepted.
That's what am asking. How can chennai intercept an adversary, when it doesn't have a fighter base? Sulur air base is near coimbatore not chennai.
 

tarunraju

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That's what am asking. How can chennai intercept an adversary, when it doesn't have a fighter base? Sulur air base is near coimbatore not chennai.
New Delhi can scramble fighters from Sulur to reach anywhere in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in minutes. Speed isn't a problem, range (performing tasks in Sri Lanka, IOR) is.
 

Sam2012

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Will this base be used for Recce in Indian ocean / Bay of bengal or is it deterrent on chinese role in SL ?

Last but not least is India suspicious of Sri lanka on their recent policy & want to take it on ?
 

SATISH

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Will this base be used for Recce in Indian ocean / Bay of bengal or is it deterrent on chinese role in SL ?

Last but not least is India suspicious of Sri lanka on their recent policy & want to take it on ?
It is just going to be a base to develop combat tactics for LCA..or it might just end up as another TACDE school.
 

p2prada

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This base is to keep LCA close to Bangalore.

Tanjavur will get a squadron of MKIs.
 

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