First indigenously overhauled Su-30 MKI handed over to IAF

First indigenously overhauled Su-30 MKI handed over to IAF

NASHIK/PUNE: October 26, 2018 became a red letter day, when the first overhauled Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft was handed over to the operational squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF). 

In a landmark event, Air Marshal Hemant Sharma, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Maintenance Command handed over the indigenously overhauled Su-30 MKI aircraft to Air Marshal HS Arora, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Air Command at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Ozar near Nashik.

“It was a good learning experience for Air warriors and engineers. Another overhauled aircraft will be inducted in the IAF in February next year,” Sharma said.

The aircraft had come for an overhaul in April 2015 and it successfully took off on April 24, 2018 and has been flight tested for its airworthiness, before inducting it for operational tasks at a flying squadron. 

The handing/taking over function was witnessed by a large number of senior Air Force dignitaries from Air Head Quarters New Delhi, Head Quarters Maintenance Command, Nagpur, South Western Air Command, Gandhinagar, Senior Officers of HAL (Nashik Division), DRDO and DGAQA. 

During the function, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Maintenance Command and South Western Air Command applauded relentless efforts put in by the personnel of Air Force Station Ozar. Air Cmde Samir V Borade, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Ozar, thanked all air warriors and personnel of HAL (Nasik Division) for their active involvement and support in achieving this important milestone for the depot and the IAF. He expressed that with this capability, 11 Base Repair Depot has exhibited what the unit is capable of and is ever ready for meeting the new challenges.

THE ONLY FIGHTER REPAIR DEPOT
The 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) is the only fighter aircraft repair depot of the IAF and undertakes repair and overhaul of frontline fighters such as MIG-29 and Sukhoi 30 MKI. It was established on April 29, 1974, and subsequently renamed as 11 Base Repair Depot on January 1, 1975. The depot progressively built and improved the technical expertise and infrastructure over the years and by 1983, it had overhauled 100 Su-7 aircraft. From 1983 to 1988, the depot also undertook overhaul of MIG-21 and 28 aircraft were produced. Later, overhaul facility for MIG-23 aircraft was set up in 1986 and 248 aircraft were overhauled till May 2015. Overhaul of MIG-29 aircraft commenced in 1996 and presently, the ‘Upgradation of MIG-29’ and Repair & Overhaul (ROH) at Su-30 MKI aircraft is being undertaken at the depot. In addition, 11 BRD is the only agency to undertake overhaul of ejection seats and role equipment of  Su-30 MKI aircraft, both for IAF and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

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