India to station 'Sukhoi-30 aircraft' at Tezpur airbase

GUWAHATI: The Indian defence establishment has increased its focus on the Eastern frontier and the lethal Sukhoi-30 combat jet is all set to be deployed in the Tezpur airbase in Assam by the second week of June this year. The location of the aircraft bears great significance since it lies strategically between Bhutan, Tibet, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The airfield in Tezpur was constructed by the British Royal Indian Air Force during the Second World War in 1942. It subsequently developed into a full-fledged air force base in 1959. Since its inception, it has been one of the most active bases in the Northeast with a variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft operating from here.

The first aircraft that flew at this base were Vampires and Toofani 101 reconnaissance squadron. In fact, in the last 25 years, it was home to the MiG-21 fleet which was used extensively to train rookie pilots for the Indian Air Force. The aircraft continues to serve the air force, operating from other bases in the Northeast.

The airfield also handled civilian flights from 1993, being the only feeder to the state of Arunachal Pradesh. In September 2007, fighter operations were discontinued at the base to facilitate extensive runway repairs and extension.
The work having been completed, the airfield is going to open shortly for both civilian and military operations. The station is gearing up to receive the Sukhoi-30 aircraft in the second week of June.

The aircraft is likely to be received at the station with great fanfare and fly past by a host of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Air marshal SK Bhan, air officer commanding in chief, Eastern Air Command, is likely to be there during the induction ceremony.

The SU-30 is a twin cockpit, multi-role, all-weather, superior fighter with air-to-air refueling capability. The aircraft, now being manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (Nasik), was originally designed and developed in Russia.
The aircraft would soon be seen flying in the skies of the Northeast and Air Force Station, Tezpur would be the first in this sector to host this state of the art aircraft.