SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy’s Ilyushin Il-38 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), fondly nicknamed the “Winged Stallions,” have been a cornerstone of the nation’s maritime surveillance for nearly half a century. After 46 years of distinguished service, the fleet was officially retired in 2023, having clocked an impressive 52,000 hours of operational flying.
While their days of soaring over the Indian Ocean are over, at least two of these iconic aircraft remain parked at INS Hansa, the naval air station co-located with Goa’s Dabolim Airport, awaiting their final resting places. These relics of naval aviation history are poised to inspire future generations as they prepare for permanent display at heritage sites in Gujarat and Karnataka.
INS Hansa, nestled along the picturesque Goan coastline, has long been a hub for the Indian Navy’s aviation operations. Today, it serves as a temporary home for the retired Il-38s, with at least two aircraft visible in the naval section of the base. Stripped of their operational roles, these Cold War-era machines stand as silent sentinels, their once-active engines now still. The sight of the Il-38s at Dabolim Airport—a shared civilian-military facility—offers a rare glimpse into the Navy’s storied past, even as their ultimate fate remains undecided.
Introduced in 1977, the Il-38 Sea Dragon was a Soviet-designed MPA tailored for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue missions. Over its 46-year tenure, the fleet played a pivotal role in securing India’s maritime frontiers, patrolling vast stretches of the Indian Ocean, and keeping a watchful eye on submarine threats during tense geopolitical periods. The aircraft’s retirement marked the end of an era, as the Navy transitioned to more modern platforms like the Boeing P-8I Poseidon.
The Il-38 fleet, originally numbering five aircraft, was acquired from the Soviet Union and inducted into the Indian Navy’s INAS 315 squadron, based at INS Hansa. Known as the “Sea Dragons,” these aircraft were equipped with advanced sensors, sonobuoys, and torpedoes, making them formidable hunters of submarines. Their 52,000 hours of flight time reflect countless missions—ranging from routine patrols to critical operations during regional conflicts—that safeguarded India’s maritime interests.
Despite their age, the Il-38s underwent midlife upgrades in the 2000s, integrating modern Indian avionics and weaponry, such as the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile. These enhancements extended their operational life, allowing them to serve alongside newer assets until their de-induction. The fleet’s longevity is a testament to the Navy’s maintenance prowess and the aircraft’s rugged design, adapted from the Il-18 airliner.
While the Il-38s no longer grace the skies, their legacy will endure on the ground. The Indian Navy has planned to preserve two of these “Winged Stallions” as static exhibits at prominent locations. One aircraft is destined for the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat—a sprawling museum dedicated to India’s seafaring history, currently under development. The second will be stationed at an undisclosed site in Karnataka, likely a naval or aviation heritage center, ensuring that the Il-38’s contributions resonate with audiences across India’s western coast.
These preserved aircraft will serve as more than mere relics; they will stand as symbols of naval aviation’s evolution and the Indian Navy’s enduring commitment to maritime security. For younger generations, the Il-38s will offer a tangible link to a time when these machines roamed the seas, their distinctive four-engine roar a familiar sound over India’s shores. Interactive displays, planned as part of the NMHC, may allow visitors to explore the aircraft’s cockpit and learn about its role in defending the nation.
The retirement of the Il-38 fleet aligns with the Indian Navy’s modernization drive, exemplified by the induction of the P-8I Poseidon, which offers greater range, advanced sensors, and network-centric capabilities. The shift reflects the Navy’s need to counter evolving threats, such as China’s expanding submarine presence in the Indian Ocean Region. While the Il-38s were reliable workhorses, their analog systems and limited endurance could no longer keep pace with contemporary demands.
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