In a major boost to India's defence preparedness and to enhance the operational capability, the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft was inducted into the newly reinstated 222 TigersharksSquadron of the Indian Air Force at the Air Force Station on Monday.The Brahmos missile equipped Sukhoi-30 MKI is a super-manoeuvrable fighter aircraft and was inducted in the air base in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat. This is the second frontline fighter squadron of IAF to be based in South India after the Sulur Air base in Coimbatore.Thanjavur also became the first Sukhoi-30 Squadronof the Southern Air Command.The Thanjavur Air Force Station was dedicated to the Nation on May 27, 2013 by then Defence Minister A K Antony with the primary aim of strengthening theair defence capabilities under Southern Air Command(SAC), headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram
