INS Shikra

INS Shikra, formerly known as INS Kunjali, is an Indian naval air station located at Colaba in Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra.^[1][2][3][4] This is the only Indian naval air station without a full-fledged runway to operate fixed-wing aircraft. INS Shikra is primarily a heliport. Visiting fixed wing naval aircraft use the city's Mumbai International Airport or the Juhu Aerodrome.

History

NAS Kunjali was commissioned as a new establishment in Mumbai, post-Independence. The locale chosen for the establishment was the old Gun Carriage Basin on the sea front in Colaba, in the heart of South Mumbai. The area was used during the Second World War as a depot for munitions of war and as a boat repair facility. With the acquisition of Allouette III helicopters (now HAL Chetak) in 1963, the establishment was considered suitable for a helipad. The first time a helicopter operated from the base was on a temporary grass helipad in 1964. Allouette flights thereafter continued to operate from the helipad, on a makeshift and as required basis.

Finally, on 3 April 1972 ‘Bombay flight’ of the Goa-based INAS 321 was established with one Allouette III helicopter, two pilots and 17 sailors. On 1 August 1980, one more Chetak was added to the flight and the role of the squadron was enhanced to include VIP flight commitment, Fleet Requirement task including tracking for weapon alignment, casualty evacuation and SAR duties. With the introduction of helicopters on board ships, the base housed and operated these helicopters, when disembarked and a helicopter maintenance facility was set up in 1983.

The Naval Air Station was renamed to INS Shikra in an impressive commissioning ceremony presided over by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, AVSM, PVSM, ADC on 22 January 2009.

Objective

INS Shikra has grown from a small helipad to a full-fledged Air Station providing support and maintenance facilities to the integral flights of the fleet and aviation requirements of the Western Naval Command. The facilities continue to expand to cater for increasing numbers of helicopters being inducted on board ships. Its primary role is to provide administrative, technical and logistic support for all squadrons and flights based in Mumbai. In addition, it undertakes coastal patrol, air surveillance in the area and meets the operational flying requirements of the Western Naval Command.

It also has a major helicopter maintenance depot providing accommodation and maintenance facilities for Westland Sea Kings, Kamov Ka 27s and HAL Chetaks, adding up to 17 helicopters and meeting a task of over 4000 flying hours annually.

Units

Naval Air Squadrons based at INS Shikra include:

• INAS 321, a search and rescue and logistics squadron, operating HAL Chetak helicopters
• INAS 330, an anti-submarine warfare squadron, operating Westland Sea King Mk.42B helicopters

References

1. ↑ "Naval Air Stations". Indian Navy. Retrieved 2011-08-18. 
2. ↑ "All you need to know about INS Shikra - India's naval air station located in Mumbai | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. Retrieved 2016-02-07. 
3. ↑ "20 Rescued from Ship in Danger of Sinking". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2016-02-07. 
4. ↑ "Navy's heliport INS Shikra in Mumbai | Latest News & Updates at DNAIndia.com". dna. Retrieved 2016-02-07. 

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Naval establishments of India
Western Naval Command	INS Dwarka INS Sardar Patel INS Kadamba INS Vajrakosh INHS Patanjali INS Gomantak INS Hansa INHS Jeevanti INS Angre INS Abhimanyu INS Agnibahu INHS Asvini INS Kunjai INS Shikra INS Tanaji INS Trata INS Tunir INS Vajrabahu
Southern Naval Command	INS Dweeprakshak INS Minicoy INS Androth INS Bitra** INS Garuda INHS Sanjivani INS Venduruthy INS Droncharya INS Chikla INHS Nivrani INS Mandovi INS Hamla INS Shivaji INHS Kasturi INS Valsura INS Rajali INS Agrani INS Zamorin INS Satavahana INS Vishwakarma
Eastern Naval Command	INS Circars INS Dega INS Virbahu INHS Kalyani INS Kalinga INS Eksila INS Karna INS Adyar INS Parundu INS Kattabomman INS Tuticorin INS Netaji Subhash INS Paradip** INS Bhubaneswar** INS Varsha**
Andaman and Nicobar Command	INS Kardip INS Jarawa INS Utkrosh INS Baaz INS Campbell Bay INS Shibpur
(**Under construction)