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The Indian Air force wants to convert Panagarh into a permanent airbase by the end of 2013 says telegraph. Currently its an airstrip, mostly used in case of emergency landing.


“We want to start full-fledged operations in Panagarh by the end of next year,” Air Marshal S. Varthaman, the air officer commanding-in-charge of the Eastern Air Command said today on the sidelines of an event at the Barrackpore airbase in North-24 Parganas. “We have all the necessary infrastructure, including land. It should not be a problem.”


Once Panagarh becomes fully operational, it will not only bolster the IAF’s operations in the east but also serve as an important base from where mid-air refuelling could be carried out, sources said.


The Eastern Air Command inducted a Mi-17 V5 helicopter at the Barrackpore air base, the first IAF aircraft that comes fitted with third-generation night-vision goggles (NVG) and a Bambi bucket fire-fighting system to take up any civilian or military challenge.


The Russian-made aircraft, according to Varthaman, would be able to pick up three-and-a-half tonnes of water from any reservoir in the bucket, which remains suspended below, and air-drop it over any area affected by fire.