IAF’s Sukhois to roar close to Pakistan border
September 30th, 2011 - 8:28 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) India’s topline Sukhoi Su-30 combat planes will permanently roar over Rajasthan’s skies, with the Indian Air Force deploying from Saturday a squadron of the air superiority fighter jets at the Jodhpur air base, from where the Pakistan border is a mere two minute flight away.
“This will be the first time a squadron of the Su-30MKI aircraft is being based in Rajasthan, that too close to Pakistan border,” a defence ministry official told IANS here Friday.
With the induction of the Sukhoi squadron in Rajasthan, the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) strike capability has been ramped up considerably.
“The squadron will formally assume its duties with effect from Oct 1 from Jodhpur air base,” defence spokesperson at Jodhpur Col. S.D. Goswami told IANS.
“The squadron taking to the Western sector skies — with its lethal strike force, multi-role function and weaponry carrying capability — will give unassailable advantage to IAF in this sector,” Goswami said.
The twin-engined Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30, with a capacity to touch 2 Mach or 2,450 kmph speeds, are now produced under licence in India.
These war birds are set to get deadlier with the integration of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile very soon. The aircraft has a range of 5,200 km and a capacity to carry 8,000 kg of warheads.
The Sukhoi squadron will have 16 aircraft in its inventory.
The planes have already arrived Jodhpur from Pune in Maharashtra, where they were previously based, officials said.
- Army to order mountain-strike BrahMos regiment soon (Lead) - Mar 31, 2012
- Army to order mountain-strike BrahMos regiment soon - Mar 31, 2012
- Crash-hit Sukhois get Indian Air Force chief's thumbs up - Dec 21, 2011
- BrahMos missile likely to be inducted in IAF by 2013 - Aug 25, 2010
- India, Russia spar over BrahMos missile air version - Mar 12, 2011
- IAF scouting for long-range missiles - Apr 25, 2011
- Work on BrahMos' hypersonic version to begin this year: Russian official - Jun 12, 2011
- IAF to induct more fighters, radars in northeast - Jul 27, 2011
- C-130J makes debut at Republic Day - Jan 26, 2012
- Malaysia plans to buy 18 more Russian fighter jets - Nov 15, 2011
- SU-30 MKI to be upgraded by IAF - Jul 04, 2010
- IAF's Sukhoi jets to be upgraded to fifth generation fighters - Aug 18, 2011
- Joint Russia-India missile to be ready by 2017 - Jun 28, 2012
- Russian-built, BrahMos-fitted frigate set for Indian Navy induction - Dec 16, 2011
- IAF inducts second SU-30 squadron in northeast - Mar 01, 2011
Tags: air superiority fighter, brahmos cruise missile, combat planes, defence ministry, defence spokesperson, fighter jets, goswami, indian air force, lethal strike, ministry official, minute flight, pakistan border, russian origin, strike capability, strike force, su 30mki, sukhoi su 30, war birds, warheads, western sector