The Navy commissioned a second long-range maritime reconnaissance air squadron on Tuesday, consisting of a fleet of P-8I aircraft, to beef up its monitoring capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.
Officials stated on Monday that the air squadron 316 was commissioned at the INS Hansa, a naval air base near Dabolim in Goa, in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff R Hari Kumar. According to them, the Boeing P-8I multi-role long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft would be operated by the Indian Navy Air Squadron (INAS) 316.
The formation of the new squadron comes amid rising worries over China's escalating forays into the Indian Ocean region, which is considered the Indian Navy's backyard.
INAS 316 has been dubbed 'The Condors,' after one of the world's biggest flying birds. The squadron's symbol features a Condor soaring over the sea's vast expanse.
In 2013, the Navy received the first eight P-8I aircraft, which are now stationed at INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.
"The INAS 316 will operate the second batch of four more P-8I aircraft, adding teeth to the Indian Navy's armor in the Indian Ocean Region to prevent, identify, and eliminate any danger to the nation," an official said.
The 12th Poseidon-8I maritime patrol aircraft was delivered to India last month by Boeing. The Indian Navy is in charge of the fleet, which is mostly used for surveillance in the Indian Ocean.
Since its induction in 2013, the P-8I has logged over 35,000 flight hours, making it an important element of the Indian Navy's fleet. The aircraft has proved to be a valuable asset to the Navy due to its superior maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and operational readiness.
The P-8's first overseas customer was the Indian Navy.
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