Air Force to Set Up Forward Enclave in Rameswaram Near Sri Lankan Border
Dated 27/4/2007
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) will set up an enclave in the Rameswaram region, according to Air Marshal Y.R. Rane, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, Thiruvananthapuram.
He made the announcement after visiting a mobile radar station established recently at Seeniappa Dharha, a seashore hamlet near Mandapam. "We need to ensure our capabilities in case of any untoward incident. We think there is a certain amount of threat potential that can jeopardise national security," Air Marshal Rane told The Hindu .
Threat perception
Asked whether the region faced any threat from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the wake of its attacks on Sri Lankan defence facilities, he said: "If there is a threat we will meet it. We have been monitoring the region and closely watching all developments."
Asked whether there was a link between the establishment of the mobile radar system and the LTTE air strikes, he said it was a coincidence. "That [LTTE attack] is not the reason. Air defence is dynamic in nature. The radar established here covers an area of our responsibility. We have radars all over the place. It all depends upon what we assess the area."
The Mandapam facility would also help in disaster management, he said. Asked whether the radar had come across any air objects or violation on Indian air space from Sri Lanka side, Air Marshal Rane said there was no such report. He said the IAF had sought land from the State Government for its operations in the Mandapam area, and the Government had responded positively.
The Air Marshal said preparations were on to develop an air base at Thanjavur. Facilities to use Light Combat Aircraft in the Sulur Air Force station near Coimbatore would also be created. Earlier, Mr Rane held discussions with Commandant K. Janardhanan, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard, Mandapam, Squadron Leader Srinivasan and others.