INAS315 decommissioned
On 31 October 2023, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 315 The Winged Stallions was formally decommissioned after 46 years of service. On this date, Ilyushin Il-38SD Sea Dragon IN307 performed its final flight.
INAS315 started operations with the Bharatiya Nau Sena (BNS, Indian Navy) on 1 October 1977 at INS Hansa (Goa/Dabolim) on the westcoast of India. The unit operated five Ilyushin 38 long-range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). These aircraft were registered IN301 to IN305.
On 1 October 2002, tragedy struck when two aircraft (IN302 and IN304) collided in mid-air during a flypast near Panjim, Goa, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the squadron. The collision and subsequent crashes killed all six crew members in each aircraft and three bystanders on the ground. Prior to the collision, the squadron had flown 30,000 hours over 25 years without a serious accident.
Late 2009, early 2010, two replacement Il-38SD Sea Dragons were delivered to INAS315. Both aircraft, IN306 and IN307, are former Russian Navy aircraft. The remaining three Il-38s were upgraded to Il-38SD Sea Dragon in the period 2006 to 2007.
The Ilyushins have been replaced by the Boeing P-8I Neptune. This aircraft is operated by two squadrons, INAS312 Albatross at INS Rajali (Arkonam) and INAS316 The Condors at INS Hansa.
Credit photo: Indian Navy