Indian Navy's Soviet era Long Range Maritime Aircraft to fy into history after 29 years of service

Chennai:

After 29 years of dedicated service to the nation, Indian Navy's Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMR) aircraft TU142M will fly into history on Wednesday after it will be formally de-inducted by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba at a special ceremony scheduled to be held at INS Rajali, India's premiere Naval Air Station in Arakkonam.

A Soviet Union era aircraft, it was inducted into Indian Navy at Dabolim Goa in 1988. The aircraft subsequently shifted base permanently to INS Rajali in 1992 and became the most formidable LRMR Aanti submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft of the Indian Navy. The aircraft has done the Indian Navy proud by participating in all major naval exercises and operations with distinction. The aircraft saw action during operation ‘Cactus’ in Maldives and participated in operational missions off Sri Lanka to provide airborne surveillance. TU142M aircraft with its four powerful engines, contra rotating, slender fuselage and swept wings is the fastest turboprop aircraft in the world and reportedly has been difficult to intercept by fighters. With its enhanced endurance, speed, long range weapons and sensors the aircraft transformed the aspects of Maritime Reconnaissance and airborne aniti-submarine aircraft for the Indian Navy and was one of the most formidable platforms around the world. 

The aircraft has had a distinguished service with over 30,000 hours of accident free flying. During its service life, the aircraft has undergone several modifications and retro fitments to keep up with evolving technology and changing requirements of Indian Navy. As a result, the aircraft has throughout its service life, been participating in and has been a major factor during all Naval operations. Despite being in its twilight year, the aircraft performed exceptionally well during the recently conducted Naval Exercise TROPEX in March 2017. 

Meanwhile, Indian Navy will be marking the silver Silver Jubilee of INS Rajali, the naval air station which was synonymous with the TU and its home for the last 29 years. The role of TU142M will now be taken on by the newly inducted P-8l aircraft. The P-8I aircraft has proven all its systems and has been fully integrated into the operational grid of the Indian Navy. Commander Yogender Mair, the last Commanding officer of the squadron with TU142M aircraft will hand over the reins to Commander V Ranganathan, who will be the first Squadron Commanding Officer with the P-8l.

Factfile:

---Indian Naval Air Squadron 312 was commissioned on November 18, 1976 at INS Hansa, Goa, with five Lockheed L1049G Super Constellation aircraft acquired from No. 6 Squadron of the IAF. After de-induction of Super Constellation from the squadron in 1983

--- TU-142M LRMR ASW aircraft was inducted into  INAS 312 on April 88 by the then Defence Minister, KC Pant at  INS Hansa. 

--- The squadron later shifted its base to the East Coast of India in April 92 and has since then been based at INS Rajali, Arakkonam.

--- INAS 312 has the unique distinction of operating the heaviest, fastest and highest flying turbo prop in the world namely the TU-142M which has been the mainstay of LRMR and ASW operations of the Indian Navy for close to three decades.