A squadron of four aircraft named INAS 316 will be stationed at INS Hansa Naval Air Base in Goa.

 A squadron of four aircraft named INAS 316 will be stationed at INS Hansa Naval Air Base in Goa.

INAS 316, one of the largest flying birds in the world with large wings, has been named 'The Contours'. The squadron's emblem depicts a condor searching the blue expanse of the sea. The new Air Squadron will be commanded by CDR Amit Mohapatra, an experienced Boeing P-8L pilot with extensive operational experience, ”the Navy said in a statement.

The Boeing P-8l is today the world's most advanced multi-role long-range naval surveillance and anti-submarine warfare (LRMR ASW) aircraft. The aircraft is powered by twin jet engines and can be equipped with air-to-ship missiles and torpedoes.

The plane has been arriving in Goa for the past few months and will now be formally flagged off by the Chief of Naval Staff on Tuesday.

The Indian Naval Air Squadron 316 is the Navy's second P-8l aircraft squadron. In 2013, the Indian Navy acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft stationed at INS Rajali, Arakon. INAS 316 will operate a second batch of four additional aircraft, which will add teeth to the armor of the Indian Navy and take on the IOR to detect and destroy any threat to the country.