INS GARUDA  (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Security)

Context: The Indian Navy recently announced the commissioning of the newly inducted MH 60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter at INS Garuda in Kochi.

INS Garuda

• Historic Commissioning: INS Garuda (ICAO: VOCC) stands as the oldest operational air station of the Indian Navy, commissioned on 11 May 1953 in Kochi, Kerala.
• Strategic Location: Situated adjacent to INS Venduruthy and the Southern Naval Command headquarters, INS Garuda serves as a pivotal naval air training center and operational base.

Cradle of Naval Aviation: INS Garuda holds a prestigious position as the birthplace of naval aviation in India, nurturing the growth of air capabilities within the Indian Navy.

• 70 Years of Service: Celebrating 70 years of illustrious service to the Indian Navy, INS Garuda remains a premier Naval Air Station within the Southern Naval Command.
• Home of Pioneering Aircraft: Hosting the first amphibious aircraft of the Indian Navy, the Sealanders, INS Garuda has evolved into a comprehensive air base operating some of the most advanced air assets of the Indian Navy.
• Historical Significance: The term "Garuda" in the naval context traces back to the Royal Navy's establishment of 'HMS Garuda,' a dedicated Aircraft Repair Yard, in Peelamedu, Coimbatore, in 1942.
• Decommissioning of 'HMS Garuda': The Royal Navy's 'HMS Garuda' in Peelamedu, Coimbatore, marked the initial use of the term "Garuda" in naval operations, serving as an aircraft repair yard until its decommissioning on 01 September 1946.