Today the Indian Navy inaugurated the Indian Naval Air Squadron 316 (INAS 316) at INS Hansa, Dabolim, Goa. This is the second INAS 316 which was inaugurated. Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar was also present.
This INAS 316 boasts a fleet of advanced P-81 aircraft. Its addition will support the Indian Navy’s vigilance and surveillance in the Indian Ocean Zone.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, arrive at INS Hansa, in Dabolim, Goa, for the commissioning of Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 316. pic.twitter.com/DUzKF8FLH3
— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2022
In today's dynamic and complex security situation, this squadron's operational capability will significantly enhance our ability to protect, preserve and promote our national maritime interests: Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, in Goa pic.twitter.com/JUvJFAfnJi
— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2022
The specifications of the second INAS 316 are quite robust, it will cater to the Boeing P-81 warfare aircraft. The P-81 has the capacity of 2 jet engines and it can be onboarded from air-to-ship torpedoes and missiles. Back in 2013 Indian Navy received the first set of P-81 aircraft and they were parked at INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu State. In 2016 the Defence Ministry awarded the second set of P-81 aircraft to the INS 316.
Recently last month, Boeing had, as per the contract, delivered the 12th Poseidon -8I naval patrol aircraft to the Indian navy. All these robust additions are to ensure sophisticated surveillance at the Indian Ocean zone.
