This is a follow up to "Indian Navy in Goa". The jet fighter training and the MIG 29K training are the chief reason for the time slot block at Dabolim / INS Hansa. Here's a few interesting articles on the Navy's plans:
1. Anyone who's been to Dabolim recently would have noticed that at peak times, there is a shortage of apron space for airplane parking. There is also a desperate need for a taxiway on the terminal side (north) of the runway. This article talks about additional airside land being made available for apron and airplane parking.
Dabolim is closed for civilian traffic from 8:30am - 1pm on weekdays (not weekends!). The article also points out that Lohegaon in Pune, with 3 air force squadrons, permits 24 hour civilian operations. So does INS Dega / Vishakapatnam, the Navy's main air base on the East Coast.
2. This recent article has one squadron of MIG29Ks being repositioned at Vishakapatnam / INS Dega. It also talks about quite a few advanced jet trainers being positioned at INS Dega, and INS Dega becoming nearly as large as INS Hansa / Dabolim. INS Dega / Vishakapatnam permits 24 hour civilian operations.
3. The new maritime reconnaisance aircraft, Boeing P8-i are all based at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.
There are 2 naval bases being created / upgraded around Dabolim - Belgaum and Karwar.This raises the question why 24 hour civilian operations cannot be permitted in Dabolim.
That would obviously kill Mopa. Perhaps that is the answer
(Article updated on 14-Nov-2015 with the 3rd point. Also, it no longer is clear whether the defense are building an air strip at Naqueri-Betul for the Defexpo)
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