Indian Air force anniversary - 11 Base Repair Depot prepared to deliver

The 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD), has taken a giant step towards indigenization of spares for the MIG aircrafts. The upgradation of the MIG 29 at the 11 BRD is a result of the same and Nashik industry has played a key role in this process of indigenization, stated Group Captain P K Anand, Station Commander 11 BRD, Nashik.

Interacting with the media on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the Indian Air Force that will be celebrated on October 8, Anand said that Indian Air Force has started using indigenous spare parts for the repair, maintenance and upgradation of the air crafts. He also said that the biggest challenge faced by the repair depot was the lack of support from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) due to various reasons. "To find a way out we started giving thrust on indigenization and 11 BRD is very well supported by the Nashik industry in this regard. In fact Nashik can be known as the aviation hub," stated Anand.

Ninety per cent of the spare parts of the MIG 29 that were recently upgraded to carry air to ground missiles along with many other modernizations, have been indigeneously manufactured by small and medium scale units in Nashik and provided by local vendors. While at times the 11 BRD and the manufacturer work together, many a times the manufacturer supplies as desired.

Nearly about 100 vendors are registered with the 11 BRD and about 40-60 participate regularly. "At the 11 BRD, it is a process of idealization and self reliance as far as the overhauling of the air crafts is considered. The depot has the capacity to handle the upgradation in coordination with the design and development cell recognized by CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification), re-engineer and re assemble in an upgraded form. Some spare supply is outsourced and the Nashik industry has pitched in their support in this regard", the station commander added.

The first unit of the Indian Air Force to be awarded the ISO certification for quality and environmental aspects, the 11 BRD is equipped to deal with the MIGs and the SU-30 MKI Sukhoi aircrafts. It also works as support with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Ojhar which assembles the Sukhoi and works on it's indigenization. At the depot, the aircrafts land in flying condition after a stipulated period of flying and after diagnosing what needs to be done with it, each aircraft is worked upon in the assembly line, which is a very accountable, responsible and zero failure process. There are checks and rechecks at every stage and after overhauling, the aircraft is re-assembled, test flied and then sent to its respective unit. The whole process takes about 13-15 months.

With a legacy of playing a crucial role in all the wars and rescue operations, the 11 BRD is always busy. 'The more you sweat during peace time, the less you sweat during wars' being the motto on which the unit functions, they always keep their aircrafts ready for take-off. Even today, the 11 BRD is ready to deliver and stand up for whatever is the need of the Indian Air Force.