IAF to get Su-30 squadron today

Thanjavur (PTI): Defence Minister A K Antony will on Monday inaugurate an airbase here to house squadron of IAFs lethal Su-30 MKI combat aircraft, making it the first fighter squadron in south India that will help maintain vigil over the Indian Ocean . IAF will base a squadron of agile Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft in Thajavur, making it the first fighter squadron in Southern India, with a view to keep strategic vigil over the Indian Ocean and cover up country's southern flank up to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, IAF officials said.

The IAF will keep deploying its regular fighter and transport aircraft detachments here since the runway and other facilities are in place here now. The inauguration of the base will see the landing and take off of the SU-30s but the full squadron of these aircraft including 16 to 18 jets will be completed by 2017-18 only. The Sukhois were inducted into the IAF at Lohegaon airbase in 2002.