Indian Air Force strategic base to be set up in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh would soon be acting as a ‘strategic base’ for the Indian Air Force in view of the growing strategic importance of the east coast.

The IAF is in plans to set up a major helicopter training facility at Donakonda in Prakasam district. Also, the Indian Air Force is planning to establish a drone manufacturing facility in Anantapur district, a cybersecurity centre in Amaravati and make Rajahmundry and Vijayawada airports asset positioning bases.

On a condition of anonymity, an official said, “In view of the growing strategic importance of the east coast and China moving fast, the IAF intends to strengthen its presence in the region. Setting up asset positioning bases in AP is part of the strategy.”

“On our part, we have constituted a task team to coordinate with the IAF on these projects. A preliminary ground survey has also been done to identify suitable locations and we have asked the IAF to submit detailed project reports,” another official mentioned.

A senior official said, “About 300 acre of this parcel of land will be given to Airports Authority of India for civilian aircraft operations and the rest to the IAF for the helicopter training facility.”