Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 313, the fifth Dornier aircraft squadron was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Air Enclave, Meenambakkam, on Monday.
Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral KJ Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding of the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) and a host of other dignitaries were also present during the commissioning ceremony.
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Addressing the gathering Admiral Singh said the commissioning of INAS 313 marks yet another milestone in the Indian Navy’s efforts towards enhancing maritime security and safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests.
He also emphasised the importance of India maintaining an edge over its adversaries in defence preparedness. The developing geopolitical situation in the region needed to be monitored constantly. “It is therefore, necessary to maintain surveillance over the Bay of Bengal, Palk Bay and adjoining regions. The strategic position of the squadron will give the nation, dominance over the North-Eastern part of the Indian Ocean which also consists of trade routes,’’ he was quoted as saying by the Defence Ministry in a press release.
The Squadron will be operating from Chennai International Airport. With the commissioning of INAS 313, the State of Tamil Nadu will have three naval air bases; which is the highest number for any coastal State. INS Rajali at Arakkonam and INS Parundu at Ramnad are the other two air bases in Tamil Nadu.
