Transformation of Indian Naval Aviation Post New Inductions

Rikeesh Sharma

Rikeesh Sharma is a serving Indian Naval Commander and a Research Fellow at the National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi. The views expressed are his own. read more

The need for credible surveillance over the high seas forms the bedrock and foundation of infallible maritime security, and Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) is the basic input for any successful maritime operation. For the last two decades, Indian naval aviation assets have been dependant on the Ilyushin (IL), the Tuplov (TU) aircraft, the Kamov (KM) 31 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The Fleet Air Defence has also received a fillip by the induction of the MIG 29Ks. At the same time, the need for Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) tasking has taken a giant leap forward with the Indian Ocean becoming a common operational ground and a global common for numerous navies. The Indian Navy is looking ahead to work out an asset acquisition plan commensurate with the myriad challenges envisaged in providing maritime security to the nation. This article discusses these acquisitions and showcases their contribution in the broader context of the Navy’s maritime strategic aim towards provision of maritime security.

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