India Deploys Brahmos Equipped Sukhoi In Indian Ocean Aiming Pak-China

New Delhi: Observing an increase in the Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Air Force has enhanced  its strength. The first squadron of Sukhoi Fighter Aircraft (SU-30 MKI) equipped with BrahMos missiles will be officially deployed today at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu to curb China’s growing interference in the region.

Senior Ministry of Defence officials said that the presence of Su-30s in south Inaid will augment the Indian Navy’s strength and air strike capabilities of the Indian armed forces as a whole, as the Brahmos have been tried and successfully tested for anti-ship operations.

The Su-30 has a range of 1,200 km and with addition of 300 km range of the Brahmos, India can strike at locations deep inside the region.

The new squadron will initially have around five to six fighter jets but gradually it will operate with full strength of 18 aircraft. This will be the first fighter squadron to be set up by the Indian Air Force in its Southern Command.

The integration of Brahmos with Su-30 was fast tracked after the Balakot air strikes in 2019. Further strengthening of the armed forces’ firepower in the southern region will act as a move towards tri-service synergy.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat’s mandate is to set up theatre commands comprising components from Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. This will help make a ground for General Rawat to re-strategise the theatre command in the southern sector.

The Squadron Is Named  ‘Tiger Sharks’

This is the 12th squadron of Sukhoi planes and is called Tiger Sharks. The 11 other squadrons have been deployed to keep an eye on the border with China and Pakistan.

Indian Navy chief, Admiral Karambir Singh on Wednesday had said that the Chinese Navy’s presence is rapidly increasing in the Indian Ocean region and the Indian Navy is keeping a watch on the developments through “mission-based” deployments.

At a panel discussion at the Raisina Dialogue here, he had that there have been instances when People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ships have entered India’s exclusive economic zones and the Navy has told them that this impinges on Indian interests.

India and Russia are working to increase the range of this missile and also to fly it at hypersonic speed.

(Inputs From: IANS, Amarujala)