Visakhapatnam: Navy to enhance training operations

Visakhapatnam: Even as the State government has speeded up the exercise to launch the Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport as early as possible, the Navy has plans to increase its fleet.

At present, training is going on for the aircraft Hawk AJT. In future, MiG-29K squadron will be readied. With INS Vikrant joining the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in the next two to three years, the MiG-29K squadron is getting ready for the aircraft carrier. "Currently, we are working on it," says Vice-Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC.

While one training squadron will be in Visakhapatnam, the other will be in Goa. Close to 18-20 helicopters will be added to the fleet.

When asked about future plans, the ENC chief says, "It all depends on when the State government hands over the airport to the navy after the completion of the Bhogapuram airport." Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member V Vijayasai Reddy has made it clear that once the commercial operations at Bhogapuram take off, the existing airport will be handed over to the navy within 30 days. Given the distance, the MP mentioned that the decision to operate a single airport is in tune with the government norms.