Indian Navy commissions its third unmanned aerial vehicle squadron

CHENNAI: Indian Navy today commissioned its third Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadron in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, a move that would enhance the coastal security along the East Coast.

Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command, commissioned the INAS 344, known as 'Spirited Shadower' which will be based in INS Parundu.

The squadron would be operating the Heron and the Searcher MK II vehicles, a defence ministry release said.

"These aircraft with long endurance and stealth capabilities are ideally suited for search and detection. The commissioning of the UAV Squadron will provide value addition to the surveillance capability of the Eastern Naval Command and augment the efforts at enhancing Coastal Security along the East Coast," the release said.

The earlier two UAV squadrons of the Indian Navy are based in Kochi and Porbander.