The first overhauled Su-30 MKI was handed over to the operational squadron of the Indian Air Force by the 11 Base Repair Depot at Ojhar in Nashik district on Friday.
In a landmark event, Air Marshal Hemant Sharma, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Maintenance Command handed over the indigenously overhauled Su 30 MKI aircraft to Air Marshal HS Arora, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Air Command at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Ojhar.
It was established on 29th April 1974 and subsequently renamed as 11 Base Repair Depot on 1st January 1975. The depot progressively built and improved the technical expertise and infrastructure over the years and by 1983 it had overhauled 100 Su-7 aircraft.
The 11 BRD is the only fighter aircraft repair depot of the Indian Air Force and undertakes repair and overhaul of frontline fighters such as MIG-29 and Sukhoi 30 MKI.
From 1983 to 1988, the depot also undertook the overhaul of MIG-21 and 28 aircraft. Later, the overhaul facility for MIG-23 aircraft was set up in 1986 and 248 aircraft were overhauled till May 2015.
Overhaul of MIG-29 aircraft commenced in the year 1996 and presently, the “Up-gradation of MIG-29” and Repair & Overhaul (ROH) of Su-30 MKI aircraft is being undertaken at the depot.
In addition, 11 BRD is the only agency to undertake the overhaul of ejection seats and role equipment of Su-30 MKI aircraft, both for IAF and HAL.
Earlier, the first Su-30 MKI overhauled by this depot successfully took off on 24 April 2018 and has been flight tested for its airworthiness, before inducting it for operational tasks at a flying squadron.
The handing/taking over function was witnessed by a large number of senior Air Force dignitaries from Air Head Quarters New Delhi, Head Quarters Maintenance Command, Nagpur, South Western Air Command, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Senior officers of HAL (Nasik Division), DRDO and DGAQA.
During the function, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Maintenance Command and South Western Air Command applauded the relentless effort put in by personnel of Air Force Station Ojhar.
Air Cmde Samir V Borade Vishisht Seva Medal Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Ojhar, thanked all the air warriors and personnel of HAL (Nasik Division) for their active involvement and support in achieving this important milestone for the depot and Indian Air Force. He expressed that with this capability, 11 Base Repair Depot has exhibited what the unit is capable of and is ever ready for meeting the new challenges.