VASCO
Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, the navy's second P-8l aircraft squadron, will be commissioned at INS Hansa in Vasco on March 29 in the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.
INAS 316 will operate the Boeing P-8l, considered the most sophisticated multi-role long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (LRMR ASW) aircraft in the world today. The aircraft is powered by twin jet engines and can be equipped with air-to-ship missiles and torpedoes.
The Indian Navy had acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft in 2013 that are stationed at INS Rajali, Arakkonam.
INAS 316 will operate the second batch of four additional aircraft acquired, adding teeth to the armour of the Indian Navy, to deter, detect and destroy any threat to the nation in the IOR.
INAS 316 has been christened 'The Condors', one of the world's largest flying birds with a large wingspan. The insignia of the squadron depicts a Condor searching over the blue expanse of the sea.
The new air squadron will be commanded by Cdr Amit Mohapatra, an accomplished Boeing P-8l pilot with extensive operational experience.
