Why the Indian Navy should control Porbandar's ATC

Gandhinagar: If and when the Indian Navy commissions its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron INAS 343 with Israeli Searcher MK II and Heron UAVs in Porbandar on January 17, the development raises a significant question. Who will manage the air traffic control in Porbandar?
This issue has to be addressed at the earliest because operations at Airports Authority of India managed Porbandar airport are no more strictly civilian, what with the Indian Coast Guard setting up its air enclave here and now the Indian Navy too moving in.
The Indian Coast Guard air enclave provides logistics and administrative support to its 850 Squadron (ICG) that comprises a Dornier and a twin engine Advanced Light Helicopter, which are tasked to undertake coastal surveillance and support and rescue missions along Gujarat's coastline and India's martime border.
The Indian Navy UAVs, which will be used for strategic operations anytime in day and night hours, must fly in complete secrecy and so also the Indian Coast Guard flights. There are many civilian airports in the country from where the Indian Armed Forces carry out their operations. The ATCs of a few airports are managed either by the IAF or the Indian Navy.
06/01/11 Anand McNair/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jan 2011