Indian Navy plans to get 100 helicopters

Delivering his speech, after reviewing the passing out parade of the 83rd helicopter conversion course for navy pilots at INS Rajali near Arakonam, Vice Admiral and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, R.K. Patnaik on Saturday said, “The Indian navy is well equipped to tackle any threats posed along our coastal line. We have plans to purchase 100 multi-role choppers to assist in our operations.”

He stated, “At present, there are 43 naval ships under construction in our shipyards. An indigenously designed aircraft carrier is also being built at the Kochi shipyard, which is expected to be commissioned by 2018.”

Vice Admiral Patnaik also stressed on the need to sensitise family members of naval officers and seamen about the threat posed by enemies. “With families also staying in the naval bases, issues concerning their safety and well being should be taken into account,” he said.

Earlier, Vice Admiral Patnaik awarded ‘wings’ to eight Naval and two Coast Guard Pilots after they successfully completed their 22-week training course at the Helicopter Training School, housed within INS Rajali.

These pilots will be joining operational flights at Mumbai, Port Blair, Goa, Kochi, Vizag, Daman and Chennai. Till date, more than 600 pilots have graduated from the school, which was earlier functioning at Kochi till 1992. The school recently obtained ISO 9001:2008 certification and was awarded the ‘Best Training Squadron’ trophy for the year 2013-14.