Air Force Station at Thanjavur dedicated to the nation by the defence minister; Pilatus PC-7 MK II trainer aircraft inducted into the Indian Air Force
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    • Reports noted that the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony on May 27 dedicated the New Air Force Station at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu to the nation. The Minister stressed that in view of the various upcoming sensitive, strategic, industrial, aerospace and economic assets in the Southern Peninsula, the operationalisation of the Air Force Station, Thanjavur would strengthen the air defence capabilities of the Indian Air Force in general and the Southern Command, in particular. The Defence Minister added that the station will also help protect our island territories and Sea Lines of Communication in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He said the IOR is increasingly becoming more and more active. The Minister also said that in the emerging security scenario, the presence of Fighter Planes in Thanjavur will not only guard India’s interests but also give confidence to India’s neighbours. Thanjavur airbase is poised to become a premier airbase in Southern Air Command. The Air Force Station is slated to house an array of IAF platforms in the future including Su-30 ‘Air Dominance’ Fighter Aircraft, Medium Transport Aircraft, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and a Medium Power Radar on build up of further infrastructure. 1

    In another development, according to reports, the Union Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh inducted the Pilatus PC-7 MK II trainer aircraft into the Indian Air Force at Dundigal Air Force Station. After unveiling the new Basic Trainer aircraft, the minister said, “The induction of PC-7Mk II as Basic Trainer Aircraft in Indian Air Force is a very important landmark in our nation’s quest to modernise its Armed Forces”. As part of the ongoing transformation, IAF is being equipped with cutting edge technology and state of the art aircraft and systems. However, the need to train pilots on modern trainers is crucial to prepare them for the exacting requirements of combat flying. The induction of Basic Training Aircraft (BTA) will give further impetus to the task of imparting high quality flying training to budding pilots. On this occasion, the Chief of Air Staff said that India expected to receive all the 75 PC-7 trainer aircraft by August 2015. 2

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