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INAS 342

INAS 342
Active6 January 2006 - Present
Country India
Branch Indian Navy
Garrison/HQINS Garuda, Kochi
Aircraft flown
ReconnaissanceIAI Heron

INAS 342 is an Indian Naval air squadron, operating unmanned aerial vehicles, based at INS Garuda, Kochi. The squadron was raised in 2006 and operates IAI Heron.[1][2]

History

IAI Heron and Searcher Mark II, were acquired from IAI Malat by the Indian Navy in December 2002. The UAVs would serve for the roles of maritime reconnaissance, search & rescue, battle damage assessment and providing OTOHT data.

Earlier in 2002, 16 internal pilots, 11 observers, 8 external pilots, 6 technical officers and 75 technical and non-technical sailors underwent training at IAI Malat. On 31 August 2002, the Intensive Flying and Trials Unit (IFTU) was established at INS Garuda and was tasked with the roles of aircraft acceptance, operator & crew training, evaluation & trials of aircraft and sensors, doctrine formulation, establishing operating & maintenance procedures.

In January 2003, Flight Training commenced and eventually the OEM personnel withdrew as the unit personnel took over. Routine and training flying finally was followed by operational exploitation and the unit started regularly participating in exercises off both coasts, from ships and from various military and non-military airfields.

The OJT cell was appointed to train the technical officers and sailors of following generations of operators and maintainers.

On 6 January 2006, IFTU was formally commissioned as an operational squadron, INAS 342. The first Officer-in-Charge was Commander Rajesh Kawatra. On this day, INAS 342 evolved into a fully functional squadron and pioneered a new era in aviation.[1][3][4]

The INAS 342 originally operated six Israeli-built IAI Herons and six Searcher Mark IIs UAVs.[5]

On 11 December 2024, the Indian Navy de-inducted 8 Searcher Mk-II UAVs from INAS 342 and INAS 343 after 22 years of service after a ceremony in Kochi.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b "UAV | Indian Navy". www.indiannavy.nic.in. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  2. ^ "INAS 342 "Flying Sentinels"". www.bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  3. ^ "h8". sainiksamachar.nic.in. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  4. ^ "UAV's in the Indian Navy". Vayu Aerospace and Defence Review. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Indian Navy commissions first UAV squadron". Us.rediff.com. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  6. ^ "After 22 yrs, Navy de-inducts eight Searcher Mk II UAVs". The Times of India. 11 December 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Navy bids farewell to eight Searcher Mk II UAVs". The Hindu. 10 December 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INAS_342