Question: Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft TU 142M which was de-inducted from the Indian navy on 29th March, 2017, will be replaced by…
(a) P-8I
(b) Rafael
(c) Mig-32
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (a)
- On 29th March, 2017, Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft TU142M was de-inducted from the Indian Navy after its 29 years of dedicated service to the nation.
- The aircraft was formally de-inducted by Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff at a special ceremony held at INS Rajali, on 29 March 17.
- To commemorate the stellar service of the TU142M, a TU Static Display Aircraft was also inaugurated by the Chief of Naval Staff at INS Rajali.
- The TU142M Patrol aircraft was inducted into Indian Navy at Dabolim Goa on 16 April 1988 from erstwhile USSR. The aircraft subsequently shifted base permanently to INS Rajali in 1992 and became the most formidable Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance anti submarine warfare aircraft of the Indian Navy.
- The aircraft has done the Indian Navy proud by participating in all major naval exercises and operations with distinction. Over the years, the TU-142M has rendered yeomen service to the nation and has taken part in all major exercises and operations including Operation Cactus in Maldives, Op Vijay in 1998, Op Parakram in 2002 and Anti-piracy Operations from 2011 till date.
- Despite being in its twilight year, the aircraft performed exceptionally well during the recently conducted Naval Exercise TROPEX in Mar 2017.
- 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.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=159948
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/mar/28/navy-to-de-induct-long-range-patrol-aircraft-after-29-years-1587007.html