INS Dega to play wider role in maritime security

Visakhapatnam: The naval air station INS Dega falling under the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is all set play a wider role in providing international maritime security. In the run up to the International Fleet Review to be held in February next year, the naval officials briefed the media on the expansion of the INS Dega.

Regarding expansion at eastern naval command, the Commanding Officer D Bhattacharya said that the Bobbili air field in Vizianagaram district will be developed as an alternative and diversionary airfield to shift some of the aircrafts in case of any emergency.

Commanding officer informed that the INS Dega will be developed by creating necessary infrastructure to station more aircrafts for civil and military operations on the eastern sea board. Addressing the media on the INS Dega in connection with the arrival of the P8I, a multi dimensional aircraft purchased from USA, Captain Bhattacharya said navy had acquired Eight P8I aircrafts at a cost of $2.3 billion (Rs 14, 720 crores) of which seven aircrafts were received till date.

He said India was the first country in the world to purchase P8I aircrafts from USA. The long range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft provides a long range surveillance of Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. All the P8Is will be stationed in Rajali in Tamil Nadu. He said that the INS Dega is the only naval air station out of nine in the country with Advanced Jet Training Hawk Training Station for training the fighter jet pilots.