The Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC 07), comprising 86 officers, including four Directing Staff, 79 Student Officers, and three Foreign Officers from Sri Lanka, visited INS Hansa on April 10, 2025. The visit was organized to provide participants with a deeper understanding of naval aviation, training infrastructure, and operational capabilities.
During their time at INS Hansa, India’s largest naval airbase located near Dabolim in Goa, the officers toured various Air Squadrons and the state-of-the-art Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF). The SBTF, a mock-up of the INS Vikramaditya deck, is used to train and certify navy pilots for carrier-based operations, including the Mikoyan MiG-29K, and for developmental trials of the naval HAL Tejas. The group also viewed static displays of frontline air assets, offering them a firsthand look at the Indian Navy’s aviation capabilities.
The visit aimed to enhance the officers’ operational awareness and decision-making abilities, aligning with the Indian Navy’s focus on strengthening strategic readiness through practical exposure. The inclusion of foreign officers from Sri Lanka underscores India’s ongoing efforts to foster defense collaboration and regional cooperation.
INS Hansa, home to nine Indian Naval Air Squadrons, plays a pivotal role in naval aviation, operating a range of aircraft such as Kamov Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters, Ilyushin Il-38 May, and TU-142M Bear aircraft, alongside the MiG-29K fighters. The base also supports exercises by the Indian Air Force and provides facilities for the Indian Coast Guard. With over 2,000 military personnel and 1,000 civilians stationed there, INS Hansa remains a cornerstone of India’s maritime defence infrastructure.
