| INAS 303 | |
|---|---|
 INAS 303 Insignia | |
| Active | 11 May 2013 - present [1] |
| Country |  India |
| Branch |  Indian Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | INS Hansa |
| Nickname(s) | The Black Panthers [1] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Mikoyan MiG-29K |
The INAS 303 is an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Hansa. [2]
Indian Navy had contracted for acquisition of 16 MiG 29K/KUB carrier based fighter aircraft with RAC MiG on 20 January 2004. Aircraft deliveries began in December 2009 and all 16 aircraft of the main contract were delivered and accepted by the Indian Navy. An option clause contract for 29 additional aircraft was also signed on 8 March 2010. The option was exercised, with delivery of the last of these aircraft scheduled for the end of 2016. Based on the exploitation experience, the first MiG-29K frontline squadron was commissioned on 11 May 2013 at INS Hansa, Goa. Captain Ajay D. Theophilus was the commissioning Commanding Officer. [3] [4]
The INAS 303 is the only operational squadron that operates MiG-29K in the Indian Navy. The fighter pilots are qualified to the squadron after receiving jet training from INAS 551 and INAS 300 operating Hawk Mk 132 and MiG-29K, respectively. [5]
The Sukhoi Su-33 is a Soviet/Russian all-weather carrier-based twin-engine air superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, derived from the Su-27 and initially known as the Su-27K. Compared with the Su-27, the Su-33 has a strengthened undercarriage and structure, folding wings and stabilators, all for carrier operations. The Su-33 has canards, and its wings are larger than the Su-27 for a slower stall speed. The Su-33 has upgraded engines and a twin nose wheel, and is air refuelable.
Cavour is an Italian aircraft carrier launched in 2004. She is the flagship of the Italian Navy.
INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier and the flagship of the Indian Navy. The carrier entered into service in 2013.
The Mikoyan MiG-29K is a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau. The MiG-29K was developed in the late 1980s from the MiG-29M. Mikoyan describes it as a 4+ generation aircraft.
The Vikrant class is a class of aircraft carrier being built for the Indian Navy. The class represents the largest warships and the first aircraft carriers to be designed and built in India.
The Indian Naval Air Arm is the aviation branch and a fighting arm of the Indian Navy which is tasked to provide an aircraft carrier-based strike capability, fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.
INS Rajali, is an Indian naval air station located near Arakkonam, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu in southern India. It operates under the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, and has the longest military runway in Asia.
Sulur Air Force Station is an air base of the Indian Air Force located at Sulur near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and is India's second largest air base after Hindon AFS. It is the base which is responsible for protection of India's sea area. It is the only base in India which handles both fighter and transport flights at one location; no other base in India is equipped to do so. It is also the only IAF base in India to have all Departments at one location: fighters, carrier planes, carrier helicopters, attack helicopters, a repair and overhauling depot, TETTRA school, Garud Force, Air Force Hospital, Southern Command Sub Headquarters, & ECHS. It is a former Royal Navy and Indian Navy base.
INS Hansa, is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa, India. It is India's biggest naval airbase. The military air base has a civil enclave, that operates as Dabolim Airport.
INS Dega, is a naval air station of the Indian Navy. It is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on the east coast of India.
INS Vikrant is an aircraft carrier in service with Indian Navy. The carrier is India's fourth carrier and the first to be built in India. It was constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala. The namesake Vikrant is a tribute to India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant (1961). Vikrant means "courageous" in Sanskrit. The motto of the ship, "जयेम सम् युधिस्पृधः" (Sanskrit), means "I defeat those who dare to challenge me" (English). It is currently one of two active aircraft carriers in the Indian Navy, the other being the flagship INS Vikramaditya.
The INAS 300 is the longest serving combat unit of the Indian Navy, based at INS Hansa.
The INAS 310 is an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Hansa. Earlier it was shifted from INS Hansa to INS Sardar patel but later it was re-shifted to INS Hansa.
The INAS 312 is an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Rajali.
The INAS 339 is an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Hansa, Goa.
The INAS 551 is an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam.
The INAS 323 is an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Hansa, Goa. It operates the multi-role helicopter HAL Dhruv in maritime configuration. The primary role of the squadron is Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance.
Rear Admiral Ajay Daniel Theophilus is a serving flag officer of the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) and Flag Officer Goa Naval Area (FOGA). He previously served as the Deputy Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy (INA). He earlier served as the Commanding Officer of INS Hansa and was the commissioning commanding officer of the first Mikoyan MiG-29K naval air squadron INAS 303.
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