New Delhi, Apr 11, IRNA -- Indian Navy Wednesday commissioned its third Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadron in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, a move that would enhance the coastal security along the East Coast

Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command, commissioned the INAS 344, known as 'Spirited Shadower' which will be based in INS Parundu.

The squadron would be operating the Heron and the Searcher MK II vehicles, a defence ministry release said.

'These aircraft with long endurance and stealth capabilities are ideally suited for search and detection. The commissioning of the UAV Squadron will provide value addition to the surveillance capability of the Eastern Naval Command and augment the efforts at enhancing Coastal Security along the East Coast,' the release said.

The earlier two UAV squadrons of the Indian Navy are based in Kochi and Porbander.

Comissioning of the squadron at Uchipuli assumed significance not only due to its close proximity to Sri Lanka but also due to strategic importance of the region, Chopra said.

The UAV would help monitor all the areas in the Palk bay, Palk strait,and Gulf of Mannar including Katchatheevu.

Earlier Captain A.B.Bellary, Commanding officer INS Parundu, had stated the squadron would comprise four units of two Israeli-built Searcher and Heron UAVs. It would have 50 sailors and 12 officers.

'It is very important for maritime surveillance of the area.It will be handy for surveillance mapping, data collection, tracking, analysis and other operations. The UAVs could remain airborne for eight to 10 hours and could reach altitude upto 15000 feet,' he said. END