INS Garuda recently marked its glorious 70 years of service to the Indian Navy. INS Garuda is the premier Naval Air Station of the Southern Naval Command located in Kochi in Kerala. With a rich history and significant contributions to naval aviation, INS Garuda holds a unique position as the cradle of naval aviation in India.
Commissioned on May 11, 1953, INS Garuda is the oldest naval air station which has been associated with the beginning of Naval aviation.
INS Garuda has the distinction of operating both the oldest and latest aircraft in the Indian Navy’s inventory.
Indian Naval Aviation
- Indian Naval Aviation began with the commissioning of the first Indian Naval Air Station, INS Garuda on 11 May 1953. Since then the aviation arm of the Navy has come a long way.
- Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant commissioned in 1961 gave power and pride to Indian Navy and played a crucial role during the liberation of Goa. India celebrated “Goa at 60” in 2020.
- Naval Aviation had taken part in the wars of 1962 and 1965. INS Vikrant with its integral aircraft, played a crucial role in the 1971 War. Naval Aviation played its role in the context of the 1999 Kargil conflict also. It has also maintained a vigilant watch in the Indian Ocean Region.
