Koodankulam power project given adequate air cover by SAC

With the first unit of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) expected to be commissioned shortly, the  Indian Air Force (IAF) is making sure that the strategically sensitive facility in coastal Tamil Nadu is protected well, top Air Force officials said.

The facility has been given adequate air cover by the Southern Air Command (SAC), Air Marshal S P Singh, who stepped down as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SAC, said on Tuesday.

According to the website of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), the 1,000 MW capacity unit no I of KKNPP is expected to be commissioned in August. The second unit is scheduled to be commissioned by March 2013.

New Acquisitions for SAC: The Sulur Air Base was expected to get a squadron of the Light Combat Aircraft next year, but unforeseen delay in the LCA project could mean a delay by another year, Air Marshal Singh said. “A squadron of Sukhoi Su-30 fighters will be stationed at the Tanjore Air Base by 2015,” he said.  ENS

“The SAC also stands to get Medium Transport Aircraft, a joint project with the HAL, in the near future,” he said.

“Post 26/11, the IAF has stepped up vigil and now the force is ‘well-prepared’ to tackle contingencies of a similar nature,” S P Singh said.

“Coastal security was primarily the job of the Navy and the Coast Guard, but the Air Force is on hand to provide support if required,” he said.