Kochi. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Naval Air Enclave (NAE), Kochi and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) was signed at a formal function held at CIAL complex in Kochi on August 8.

Captain Satish Kumar S, Officer-in-Charge, NAE and ACK Nair, Airport Director CIAL, signed the document on behalf of both the organisations.

The MoU was signed in connection with commencement of naval air operations from the NAE, a naval aviation facility comprising an independent dispersal, aircraft hangar, administrative building and taxy track, located on the northwest side of CIAL. Military aircraft would use the CIAL runway for take off and landing and the NAE taxy track for proceeding to and from the dispersal / hangar.

The Memorandum of Understanding lays down Standard Operating Procedures and their adherence by CIAL and the Indian Navy, for ensuring safe, secure and uninterrupted military air operations. Senior management functionaries of CIAL including AM Shabeer, Executive Director; Sunil Chacko, Chief Financial Officer and Dinesh Kumar C, Head of Operations were present for the function.

Naval Air Enclave is capable of supporting operations of the highly capable P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft, which was extensively used to coordinate Search and Rescue Operations off the coast of Kerala and the Lakshadweep Islands in December 2017, following Cyclone Ockhi. The optimal exploitation of the NAE would significantly enhance the maritime reconnaissance capability of Southern Naval Command, as also the Indian Navy.