Indian Navy inducts Russian maritime patrol aircraft and Environment Survey Vehicle

The Indian Navy today added a Russian made maritime reconnaissance aircraft TU-142 and an indigenously developed Environmental Survey Vehicle (ESV).

New Delhi/Visakhapatnam, Oct 1 : The Indian Navy today added a Russian made maritime reconnaissance aircraft TU-142 and an indigenously developed Environmental Survey Vehicle (ESV).

The TU-142 'Bear' aircraft, which is larger than the Airbus in size and weight, made its maiden landing at a naval base in Visakhapatnam, the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command.

The aircraft is the naval version of Tupolev TU-95 that played a crucial role for Russians during the Cold War, and India has currently eight such aircraft which are being used for maritime patrol.

In addition to it, Indian Navy has three Russian made Ilyushin Il-38 aircraft for maritime patrol and twenty Dornier Do 228 aircraft that are used as transport utilities.

"The aircraft (TU-142) is very versatile and its capabilities immense. And with the new runway and this event we have further enhanced the capabilities of our maritime surveillance and our Anti Submarine Warfare capabilities in the region," said Commander L. S. S. Babu, Chief Staff Officer (Operation) at the Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, who received the aircraft.

The new aircraft would also provide the Indian Navy with operational flexibility and a diversionary maritime airfield on the country's eastern coast.

The TU-142 was first inducted into the Navy at Goa on March 30, 1988.

Meanwhile, an Environmental Survey Vehicle (ESV), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was formally handed over to the Indian Navy in New Delhi today.

ESV is a radiological laboratory on wheels, capable of estimating radioactivity in field conditions. It is also capable to detect any intentional or unintentional release of radioactivity in a marine environment and would aid the defence forces in nuclear warfare.

ANI