New acquisitions for naval aviation underway: official

The Indian Navy is in the process of strengthening its infrastructure in the naval aviation sector through more acquisitions to increase its multi-dimensional capacity, a senior naval officer said today.

"We are building a modern and potent air element to add to our punch at sea with new acquisitions that are underway," Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command, said.

"Besides the long range aircraft like the TU and forthcoming P 8-I that extends our reach, the helicopters are integral to the ship and are force multipliers to surface platforms, adding to the Fleet's lethal punch," he said.

Lanba was addressing newly commissioned helicopter pilots at naval air station INS Rajali in nearby Arakkonam, about 80 km from here.

Four pilots of the Navy and five of the Coast Guard, including two women, have completed training as part of the 78th Helicopter Conversion Course at the Helicopter Training School.