New P-8I squadron to be commissioned at INS Hansa tomorrow

With India is bolstering its defense capabilities, Goa has been seeing increased attention from the defence industry and armed forces. The Indian navy has announced a squadron of P-8I will be commissioned at INS Hansa here in Goa.

Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, the navy's second P-8l aircraft squadron, will be commissioned at Goa’s  at INS Hansa in the presence of Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff and other prominent dignitaries INAS 316 will operate the Boeing P-8l, the most sophisticated multi-role long range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft in the world as of today.

The Navy had acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft in 2013 that are stationed at INS Rajali, Arakkonam. INAS 316 will operate the second batch of four additional aircraft acquired, adding teeth to the armour of the Indian Navy, to deter, detect and destroy any threat to the nation

INAS 316 has been christened 'The Condors', one of the world's largest flying birds with a large wingspan. The insignia of the squadron depicts a Condor searching over the blue expanse of the sea. The new air squadron will be commanded by Commander Amit Mohapatra, an accomplished Boeing P-8l pilot with extensive operational experience.