Air Force has deployed counter drone systems: Air Commodore Shekhar Yadav, who is in charge of the Pune Air Force Station, said that drone strikes have become a serious threat to military sites and that the Air Force has installed counter drone equipment at its bases. According to him, these devices have both gentle and strong kill mechanisms for unknown flying objects.
As part of an outreach initiative organised by the Air Force Station (AFS) in Pune, Air Commodore Yadav, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), recently engaged with the media. Since its founding in 1939, AFS Pune has developed into one of the Indian Air Force’s top air bases, protecting the Indian peninsula.
The Air Commodore spoke with the other participants about a variety of topics, including drone flying, bird strike safety, and the security of strategic military installations.
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Air Force has deployed counter drone systems
In response to a question about drones, the Air Officer stated that all drone operators must abide by a new policy that the government has established and obtain the required clearances to allow separation from other flying aircraft in order to ensure the essential safety.
There is a greater risk to aircraft as a result of the widespread use of small drone models, particularly in the vicinity of airfield regions. Furthermore, drone attacks have become a serious threat to military sites and need to be identified quickly enough to safeguard personnel and property. “No drone zone” boundaries extend up to three km around flying bases. The Air Force has responded to this by installing counter drone systems at its bases that have the ability to both soft and hard kill unknown flying objects. Thus, before engaging in any drone flying, the general public or any organisation is kindly asked to obtain permission from the nearest airport or Air Force Station,” the officer stated.
The Pune Air Base is home to multiple maintenance and administrative units, an Air Defence squadron, a radar unit, and two fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force’s front-line Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. The active involvement of these squadrons in the 1965 and 1971 battles is a proud legacy.
The Air Officer concurred that bird strikes are a major problem during the takeoff, approach, and landing phases of flight when asked about bird strikes and countermeasures.
‘Drone strikes a major threat’
“In-depth research has been done to determine the bird activity patterns surrounding the airfield. It has been discovered that everyday home debris and loosely flung trash are the birds’ main sources of interest. In order to address the problem, this base’s flight safety unit regularly studies the key areas surrounding the airfield and holds awareness camps to inform locals. We are pleading with the public to dispose of their rubbish properly and refrain from leaving litter behind, Air Commodore Yadav added.
AFS Pune has served as the IAF’s first base for numerous aircraft inductions. These include the Tempest, Vampire, Canberra, Super Constellation, Hunter, and Mig-21 Bison, which was the first indigenous combat aircraft. Pune is one of the best air bases for maintaining and operating all of the inventory’s modern aircraft. Almost every aircraft that flew with the Indian Air Force following independence has passed through Pune’s skies.
Air Commodore Yadav commented, “The station has an elaborate security setup and regular training and drills are conducted to keep our personnel and procedures in shape and ready for any eventuality,” regarding the security measures at the Air Base. In order to provide constant observation and prompt response, a network of CCTV cameras and other contemporary equipment is used. In order to respond to any emergency, there are also backup plans from Army installations, local law enforcement, and intelligence services. Simultaneously, it is anticipated that Pune residents—particularly those who live near the Base—will notify Air Force security officers of any anomalies or strange activity observed.
With more than 200 civil landings and departures each day, Pune Air Force Base is the busiest joint user airfield in India, according to Air Commodore Yadav. The airfield services offered by this base are modern and frequently updated. Built on AF land, the civil aviation complex is its entirety. The Air Force has moved around 63 acres of land towards the development of civil aviation facilities thus far. To build a third access route to the airport, AF just leased more land. In order to improve traffic flow and lessen pain for civilians, a number of roads in and around the airport are being modified in collaboration with Pune Municipal Corporation, the officer stated.
