Hello, Warriors!
A vast boundary of India is covered with water bodies on either side. While the territorial security is in interest with the army, the territorial waters are safeguard by the Indian Navy. The Naval Air Arm of the Indian Navy is a branch which deals with the airborne operations including maritime patrol and direct combat.
Here are some of the aircraft used in the Navy by it’s Naval arm:
- HAL Kiran:
The HAL HJT-16 Kiran is a two-seat intermediate jet trainer used by the Indian Air Force for intermediate training for pilots trained on the HPT-32 Deepak for IAF and the Navy. It is used by the Indian naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawan. The Defence Ministry is expected to place an order for 20 Hawk Mk132 aircraft with HAL in late 2015 to give the Surya Kiran dedicated aircraft. The Kiran series is currently set to be replaced by the in-development HAL HJY-36 series advanced trainers which is a much more modern alternative. Both are the product of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
- BAE Hawk:
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer aircraft. It has been used in a training capacity and as a low-cost combat aircraft. The Hawk is still in production in the UK and under licence in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with over 900 Hawks sold to 18 operators around the world. It is mainly used as a trainer aircraft for the Indian Navy pilots. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and UK-headquartered BAE Systems (BAE), agreed to explore the development of a “Combat Hawk” which could even be exported to friendly foreign countries.
- Sea Harrier:
British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval short take-off and vertical landing/vertical take-off and landing jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack
The Sea Harrier was marketed for sales abroad by UK, but by 1983 India was the only operator other than Britain. The Sea Harrier is in active use in the Indian Navy, although it will eventually be replaced by the Mikoyan MiG-29K. Sea Harriers are used to train naval aircraft handlers of the Naval Arm of the Indian Navy.
- Mikoyan MiG-29K:
The MiG-29K is a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan design bureau. Production MiG-29Ks differ from prototypes by features such as a multi-function radar and several new cockpit displays; the adoption of HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) controls; the integration of air-to-air missiles, along with missiles for anti-ship and anti-radar operations; and several ground/strike precision-guided weapons.
It is mainstream jet fighter with the Indian Navy fulfilling Indian requirement for a shipborne fighter following the purchase of a former Soviet aircraft carrier. It was first received by the Indian Naval Air Arm in 2009.
Also Check: 8 Mindblowing Indian Airforce Transport Aircraft To Know
Impressed Already? Which is your favorite Naval fighter aircraft?
