INS Dega (ICAO: VOVZ), is a naval air station of the Indian Navy. It is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on the east coast of India.[1][2]
INS Dega | |||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Naval Air Station | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Indian Navy | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Visakhapatnam, India | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 15 ft / 5 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 17°43′16″N 083°13′28″E / 17.72111°N 83.22444°E | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
.svg)  VOVZ  VOVZ | |||||||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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Source: DAFIF | |||||||||||||||
History
editThe Indian Navy started aviation operations in Visakhapatnam in when the 321 Helicopter Flight was based at INS Circars in Visakhapatnam on 23 December 1972. In 1976, four helipads along with hangars were set up adjacent to the civil airfield. On 12 March 1986, the civilian Visakhapatnam Airport was transferred from the National Airport Authority of India (now, Airports Authority of India) to the Indian Navy. The air station was then designated as Naval Air Station, Visakhapatnam. The 321 Chetak Flight was initially based in the Air Base along with other shipborne flights. Additional hangars, maintenance facilities and an operations complex were constructed soon after.
On 21 October 1991, the air station was renamed and formally commissioned as INS Dega by then Vice Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas. It is named for the Telugu language word for a big and powerful bird of the eagle family.[3][4]
Units
editAs of 2014, INS Dega had 5 squadrons/flights and 4 ship-borne flights.[3] As of 2015, the airbase housed 40 aircraft including naval helicopters.[5]
Indian naval air squadrons based at INS Dega include:
- INAS 551, a fighter training squadron BAE Hawk AJT aircraft
- INAS 311, a reconnaissance squadron operating Dornier 228 aircraft
- INAS 321, a search and rescue squadron operating HAL Chetak helicopters
- INAS 333, an anti-submarine warfare squadron operating Kamov Ka-28 helicopters
- INAS 350, a logistics and transport squadron operating Sea King 42C helicopters
- a UAV squadron, operating DRDO Lakshya pilotless targeting UAVs
Further development
editAs of 2014, reports emerged that preparations have begun to deploy and permanently base a full squadron of 17 Mikoyan MiG-29K fighters to strengthen the security of India's eastern seaboard.[6][7] In order to decrease the growing flight traffic in the base, a new base has been under consideration by the navy at Badangi, near Vizianagaram.[8][9]
In July 2014, the MoD an initial sanction of ₹450 crore (equivalent to ₹719 crore or US$86 million in 2023) was invested for building related technical support and infrastructure facilities. The plan for the expansion of the airbase envisages a massive increase in size as well as capabilities. In the final scenario, from the present size of 1,100 acres (4.5 km2), the INS Dega will be spread out to over 1,500 acres (6.1 km2). A parallel taxiway at the base is also in the offing which will cut down the runway occupancy time.[7]
Incidents
editOn 2 June 2010, a HAL Chetak with four personnel crashed into Sarada River after clipping high tension wires.[10] Fishermen were the first responders who helped remove the pilots seat belt and rescued the injured. One officer died while three were injured.[11]
On February 16, 2012, an unmanned UAV IAI Searcher crashed into a hill near Himachal Nagar,Gajuwaka while returning from operations. Navy officials landed from choppers to retrieve the Black box.[12]
See also
edit- Indian navy
- Integrated commands and units
- Armed Forces Special Operations Division
- Defence Cyber Agency
- Integrated Defence Staff
- Integrated Space Cell
- Indian Nuclear Command Authority
- Indian Armed Forces
- Special Forces of India
- Other lists
References
edit- ^ "Naval Air Stations". Indian Navy. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ "Vishakhapatnam". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "INS Dega". Indian Navy. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Indian Naval Ship Dega". www.facebook.com. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ Service, Express News (4 September 2015). "Move to Shift INS Dega Dismissed". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ Korablinov, Alexander; RIR (26 August 2014). "India to deploy MiG-29s to protect east coast". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: Navy initiates 'Look East' for lethal MiG29K". India Today. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "Historic Badangi airstrip to be reactivated by Navy". The Times of India. 7 November 2013. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "In Andhra Pradesh, Badangi airstrip to be reactivated by Navy". The Times of India. 20 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "Accident HAL Chetak (SA 316B Alouette III) IN468, Wednesday 2 June 2010". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Naval officer killed as chopper falls into river". The Hindu. 2 June 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ archive, From our online (16 May 2012). "Navy UAV crashes in hill at Vizag". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 10 August 2024.