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All you need to know about INS Shikra - India's naval air station located in Mumbai

INS Shikra was formerly known as INS Kunjali.

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Located in Colaba, Mumbai INS Shikra is a naval air station which was earlier known as INS Kunjali.

On their website the Indian Navy has a page dedicated to INS Shikra where the history of the air station is given. The website states, "Kunjali was commissioned as a new establishment in Mumbai, post-Independence. The locale chosen for the establishment was the old Gun Carriage Basin on the sea front in Colaba, in the heart of South Bombay.  The area was used during the Second World War as a depot for munitions of war and as a Boat Repair facility.

Over the years, this helicopter base has grown from a small helipad to a full-fledged Air Station providing support and maintenance facilities to the integral flights of the fleet and aviation requirements of the Command. The facilities continue to expand to cater for increasing numbers of helicopters being inducted on board ships.  Today, the Air Station is a fairly sizeable helodrome jutting out into the southern part of Mumbai harbour providing accommodation and maintenance facilities for Sea Kings, Kamovs and Chetaks, adding up to 17 helicopters and meeting a task of over 4000 flying hours annually."

With reference to the new name of the base, the website elaborates, "The Naval Air Station was rechristened as INS Shikra in an impressive commissioning ceremony presided over by the Chief of Naval Staff, Adm Sureesh Mehta on  January 22, 2009. The Air station has been playing a dynamic role since its inception. Its primary role is to provide administrative, technical and logistic support for all squadrons and flights based in Mumbai. It additionally undertakes coastal patrol, air surveillance in the area and meets the operational flying requirements of the Western fleet."

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