Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 313, the 5th Dornier Aircraft Squadron was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Naval Air Enclave, Meenambakkam, Chennai on July 22, 2019. It will add strength to India’s Act East policy with increased involvement in the Bay of Bengal, Pak Bay, and adjoining regions. especially in the maritime domain awareness, increased joint patrols, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation. It will also operate the indigenous Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-built maritime surveillance version multiple role Dornier 228 from the Chennai Airport. Its insignia represents a ‘greater spotted eagle’ searching over the vast blue and white waves of the sea. Its name ‘Sea Eagle’ also signifies the same, as the greater spotted eagle is a large bird of prey with good sensory capabilities.
Significance of the Squadron
The fifth Dornier Jet Squadron was a significant necessity for the region in view of the developing geo-political situation. It is significant for the following reasons:
(i) It is a multi-role short-range maritime reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft, manufactured by HAL, under licence from RUAG Aero-space, Switzerland.
(ii) It is fitted with state-of-the-art sensors and equipment including Advanced Surveillance Radar, Electronic Sensors, and Networking Features.
(iii) It would enhance maritime domain awareness and would prove to be a force multiplier during search and rescue operations.
(iv) It would maintain constant surveillance and safeguard maritime interests in the Eastern Seaboard of India, because Tamil Nadu has three naval bases—INS Rajali at Arakkonam, INS Parundu at Ramnad and Chennai International Airport.
(v) It will help India track growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
(vi) It will provide targeting data to weapon platforms.
(vii) It will contribute towards indigenous development and self-reliance through ‘Make in India’.
(viii) It will give India dominance over the north-eastern part of the Indian Ocean, which also provides important trade route.
Besides Dornier, the Indian Navy also possesses USA-made P-81, which is a long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Moreover, the Navy will get 12 new Dornier Aircrafts from HAL with better sensors, glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, electronic intelligence (ELINT), networking features and optical sensors.
Act East Policy
Act East Policy is an outlook proposed by late Indian Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj, following on from the Look East Policy, initiated in 1991, developed and enacted by Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh government. It was an effort to establish, rather cultivate, extensive relations on the economic and strategic front with south-east nations in order to support its position as a regional power and check the increasing influence of China.
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