Squadron flying Sukhoi-30 MKIs set to relocate from Lohegaon

[RPK]

Squadron flying Sukhoi-30 MKIs set to relocate from Lohegaon - Indian Express


The Lions or No 31 Squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Lohegaon that flies air superiority fighter Sukhoi-30 MKIs is all set to relocate to Jodhpur, its designated operational location. The movement is part of IAF plan to deploy Sukhoi-30 MKI in Jodhpur in Rajasthan along the Pakistan border.

“The squadron is on its way out. In fact, half of the squadron has already moved out. The remaining would be shifted soon,” said an IAF officer. Lions is one of the three squadrons of Sukhoi-30 MKIs at Lohegaon Air Force Base (2 Wing) of the IAF and after the shift, Lohegaon station will be left with two squadrons - No 20 Squadron- Lightenings and No 30 Squadron- Rhinos.

Formed in Pathankot on September 1, 1963, No 31 squadron was equipped with French Mystere aircraft which it flew till 1973. The squadron then flew indigenous Marut aircraft till 1983 followed by Mig-23 till 2003 after which it was numberplated. It was in dormant stage till January 2009 when it was resurrected at Lohegaon IAF station. The squadron received Presidential standards in January this year for its meritorious service in the IAF. The squadron was deployed to support the Indian Army in western front in the Indo-Pak war of 1965 as well as 1971 war of Liberation of Bangladesh.

The IAF had earmarked IAF Stations-Lohegaon and Bareily - for raising new squadrons of Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. After reaching their designated strength, the squadrons are relocated to the bases they have been operationally assigned. “The plan has been to relocate the squadrons to their designated operational locations at bases that have been earmarked for these aircraft. IAF is expected to reach a strength of 270 Sukhoi-30 MKIs by 2018,” said an officer.

“Jodhpur is a centrally located airbase and has a strategic importance as far as the Pakistan border is concerned. The location and the range of the aircraft make it an effective deployment,” said Air Marshal (retd) Bhushan Gokhale.

 

[SpArK]

Better that it has shifted from Pune to further north.

 

[RPK]

South Asia

South Asia’s most powerful air base at Jodhpu


Jodhpur: India has stepped up her air defence on the western border with the stationing of squadron of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets at Jodhpur Air base. With this, the air base becomes the most powerful air base in South Asia, Commanding Aryan Gaekwad said.

Gaekwad was talking to reporters at the function of 79th Air Force Day on Tuesday. A total of 100 fighter jets and a hundred missiles are stationed at the Jodhpur air base, he further said. The base is also equipped with modern radar and communication systems that enable the officers to give a quick response to any foreign fighter jet or foreign planes in the air domain of the country.

Officer Anurag Rai said the Royal Flying Club was started in Jodhpur in 1931 by the then king Umaid Singh with two planes. The air base was later upgraded in 1950 after the formation of Indian Air Force.

 

[feral]

A good call. The MKI's serve no purpose being flying show pieces down south. Its just as well , that the IAF gains experience, operating and maintaining the bird in a much likelier environment for combat. We should be flying them on BARCAP almost along the border, as a sort of deterrent against any misadventure by our pakistani brothers, and for plain operational practice.

Would be fun to actually get a missile lock on a paf plane, across the loc, just for a good humored scare, before disengaging and heading back

 

[PWFI]

A good call. The MKI's serve no purpose being flying show pieces down south. Its just as well , that the IAF gains experience, operating and maintaining the bird in a much likelier environment for combat. We should be flying them on BARCAP almost along the border, as a sort of deterrent against any misadventure by our pakistani brothers, and for plain operational practice.

Would be fun to actually get a missile lock on a paf plane, across the loc, just for a good humored scare, before disengaging and heading back

Just like PAF have done to some looser in 2009 when they cross the boder in North of pakistan ! right?

 

[my name is arya]

good step but we should do the thing at fast mode like MMRCA ,LCA2

we should deploy them on china and Pakistan border , we need to deploy attack helicopter at china border ASAP

 

[tvsram1992]

Just like PAF have done to some looser in 2009 when they cross the boder in North of pakistan ! right?

he mean to say same like atlantique incident , but dont shoot innocent people

 

[LiberalAtheist]

Just like PAF have done to some looser in 2009 when they cross the boder in North of pakistan ! right?

did any IAF plane get shot down? if not what are you proud of? we got missile locks on your fighters in Kargil when they were sitting ducks with no BVR missiles a month or 2 after Kargil not only did we get a missile lock but we brought down that Atlantique which had trespassed into restricted territory

 

[feral]

Just like PAF have done to some looser in 2009 when they cross the boder in North of pakistan ! right?

Unlikely, considering the fact that you guys didn't have any significant BVR capabilities before 2010, and would probably have been detected before being in range for a missile lock , if indeed what you say is true. But then again, i dont think the iaf would actually cross the border in 2009, when they didnt, make an aerial push during all out war in kargil . Just my 2 cents

 

[kanpur]

Just like PAF have done to some looser in 2009 when they cross the boder in North of pakistan ! right?

Your army even could not trace the American helicopter and imaging to trace the Indian planes.there is IAF base in UP and They daily crosses your air space and come back with very nice and clean photos of your country this is going on with three years continue and even a single time you can not trace him.

 

[feral]

Your army even could not trace the American helicopter and imaging to trace the Indian planes.there is IAF base in UP and They daily crosses your air space and come back with very nice and clean photos of your country this is going on with three years continue and even a single time you can not trace him.

That's just irrelevant man. The helo was stealth. Besides, if they shoot down american hardware, poof !-goes all the military aid. Don't take the bait

 

[Screambowl]

That's just irrelevant man. The helo was stealth. Besides, if they shoot down american hardware, poof !-goes all the military aid. Don't take the bait

no, Kanpur is right but you are also right.