In News:

The Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command hosted a two-day seminar on Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) at INS Rajali, Arakkonam. The event underscored India’s growing maritime responsibilities, technological advancements, and strategic commitment to ensuring security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Objectives and Key Outcomes

The seminar brought together senior naval commanders, operational experts, and industry representatives, including from Boeing Ltd, to deliberate on the evolving role of LRMR platforms in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

Key highlights included:

• Release of a compendium of scholarly papers on maritime domain awareness and surveillance.
• Discussions on the operational roles of Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft and High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones, such as the MQ-9B Sea Guardian, in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), multi-domain reconnaissance, and long-range surveillance.
• Recognition of the Navy’s drive to build indigenous capacity while maintaining strategic partnerships with global defence leaders to enhance maritime security cooperation.

INS Rajali: Strategic Maritime Aviation Base

INS Rajali, commissioned on March 11, 1992, is a premier Naval Air Station located near Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, about 80 km west of Chennai.

• It is spread across 2,200 acres and houses over 4,700 personnel.
• Named after ‘Rajali’, a hawk native to Tamil Nadu’s coast, symbolizing vigilance and speed.
• It operates under the Eastern Naval Command and has the longest military runway in Asia, enabling operations of long-range aircraft.
• The station performs dual roles in operations and training, including hosting the Helicopter Training School (HTS).

INS Rajali has emerged as the hub of India’s maritime reconnaissance and surveillance operations, crucial for maintaining real-time situational awareness over the IOR.

INAS 312: A Milestone Achievement

The seminar also celebrated a historic milestone — the completion of 50,000 flying hours by INAS 312, the Navy’s premier Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron based at INS Rajali.

• INAS 312 operates the Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft, a state-of-the-art platform known for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and maritime strike missions.
• The squadron’s operations have enhanced India’s ability to monitor sea lanes, detect hostile submarines, and secure trade routes across the Indo-Pacific.
• This achievement marks a first in Indian Naval Aviation history, reflecting the squadron’s professionalism and pivotal contribution to national security.

Technological Edge: Integration of LRMR Platforms

The integration of P-8I aircraft with MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones represents a transformative leap in India’s maritime surveillance ecosystem.

• These systems enable persistent intelligence gathering, real-time situational awareness, and high-endurance operations across vast oceanic stretches.
• The synergy between manned and unmanned assets significantly enhances Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), ensuring rapid response to traditional and non-traditional threats, including piracy, smuggling, and humanitarian emergencies.

Strategic Significance

The LRMR initiative aligns with India’s vision of being a “Net Security Provider” in the Indo-Pacific.
By strengthening reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, India is:

• Expanding its operational reach and deterrence posture.
• Enhancing interoperability with partner navies.
• Supporting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.
• Contributing to a Free, Open, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific order.