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India Deploys UAV's near Sri Lanka
The Indian Navy is all set to commission its first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadron on the East Coast at Uchipuli near here soon.
It is considered a significant step towards strengthening maritime surveillance and reconnaissance in Palk Strait and Palk Bay off the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coast. The commissioning of the UAV squadron near Rameswaram assumes significance not only due to its close proximity to Sri Lanka but also due to the strategic importance of the region.
Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday Captain A..B. Bellary, Commanding Officer, INS Parundu said the squadron would comprise four units of two Israeli-built Searcher and Heron UAVs. It would effectively strengthen maritime security and surveillance along the strategic region of the East Coast.
It would have 50 sailors and 12 officers. Two of the 4 aircraft, which were tested and operated at Kochi squadron, had already been brought to INS Parundu. The remaining two aircraft would reach soon.
“It is an important milestone as far as maritime surveillance of the region is concerned. It will be handy for surveillance, mapping, data collection, tracking, analysis and other operations,” says Mr. Bellary.
Commander Vinit Anand, Commanding Officer, INAS 344, said that the UAVs could remain airborne for 8 to 10 hours comfortably. Searcher aircraft could reach higher altitude of over 15000 feet. Heron was medium range and long endurance aircraft and it was a highly sophisticated UAV for high altitude operation fitted with radar, camera and others.
Mr. Bellary said all necessary infrastructure such as hangar, control room, maintenance facilities, building and others had already been established. The sanctioned personnel for UAV squadron had undergone intensive training for operating UAVs and receiving data.
The Hindu : Cities / Chennai : UAV squadron to come up at Uchipuli
F-7 jets of the Sri Lanka Air Force deployed to SLAF China Bay Air force base.
Air Defence Radar Squadron deployed to SLAF Palali Air force base.
The Indian Navy is all set to commission its first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadron on the East Coast at Uchipuli near here soon.
It is considered a significant step towards strengthening maritime surveillance and reconnaissance in Palk Strait and Palk Bay off the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coast. The commissioning of the UAV squadron near Rameswaram assumes significance not only due to its close proximity to Sri Lanka but also due to the strategic importance of the region.
Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday Captain A..B. Bellary, Commanding Officer, INS Parundu said the squadron would comprise four units of two Israeli-built Searcher and Heron UAVs. It would effectively strengthen maritime security and surveillance along the strategic region of the East Coast.
It would have 50 sailors and 12 officers. Two of the 4 aircraft, which were tested and operated at Kochi squadron, had already been brought to INS Parundu. The remaining two aircraft would reach soon.
“It is an important milestone as far as maritime surveillance of the region is concerned. It will be handy for surveillance, mapping, data collection, tracking, analysis and other operations,” says Mr. Bellary.
Commander Vinit Anand, Commanding Officer, INAS 344, said that the UAVs could remain airborne for 8 to 10 hours comfortably. Searcher aircraft could reach higher altitude of over 15000 feet. Heron was medium range and long endurance aircraft and it was a highly sophisticated UAV for high altitude operation fitted with radar, camera and others.
Mr. Bellary said all necessary infrastructure such as hangar, control room, maintenance facilities, building and others had already been established. The sanctioned personnel for UAV squadron had undergone intensive training for operating UAVs and receiving data.
The Hindu : Cities / Chennai : UAV squadron to come up at Uchipuli
F-7 jets of the Sri Lanka Air Force deployed to SLAF China Bay Air force base.
Air Defence Radar Squadron deployed to SLAF Palali Air force base.