Kovind to present President’s Colours to Sulur IAF station

The ceremonial parade will be witnessed by Governor, Banwari Lal Purohit, Union Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami and Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, said Air Marshal B Suresh to media at Sulur Air Force station on Wednesday. 

On this occasion, Akash Ganga, IAFs own daredevil paratroopers will be performing stunts of 10,000 feet height and landing at predetermined spots. There shall be a flypast by IAF aircraft consisting of fighters, transports and helicopters. Also, the Sarang Helicopter aerobatic team and Tejas and Air Warrior Drill will be doing low-level aerobatics and display respectively.

The Air Force Station in Sulur is the IAF’s only airbase to accommodate and operate fighter, transport and helicopter aircraft. “Once the defence corridor, in which Coimbatore is an integral part comes up, the Sulur Air Force will gain importance. Though aircrafts are imported, their spares required maintenance that can then be bought from the newly coming up Defence Park. 20 acres have been identified for DRDO for the project,” Mr Suresh said. 

The Sulur air base, constructed by Royal Navy in 1942, was first commissioned in 1942-43 during the World War II and was placed under the then South East Asia Command. The airfield was later taken over by the Indian Air Force in 1956 as a care and maintenance unit. 

“The depot has serviced 233 Avros and 77 Dornier aircraft till date and the number are still adding up. As recognition of its high standards, the depot has been earmarked to receive Maintenance Transfer of Technology for notables and engine for the state of the art Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft,” he added.

The Sulur Air Force Station will soon become a training base to train fighter pilots.  “The training facility with simulators being set up at a cost of Rs 211 crores will become operational by next year. Then, the training provided to fighter pilots in Bengaluru will be shifted to Coimbatore,” said Air Marshal B Suresh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command.  Stating that several state governments owe about Rs 2,000 crore to the Indian Air Force for involving in rescue operations during natural disasters like floods in Kerala, Ockhi cyclone and Kurangani fire, Suresh said that it is a subject of an issue for state and central governments.  “We only send the bills to respective states as per rules of the Indian Air Force, but it is an issue to be dealt by the state and central governments,” he said.