According to highly-placed sources, the existing facilities at the airport will be soon revamped for enhancing Navy's operational ability. In fact, the Navy has already requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to hand over the existing navigational and landing aids at the airport to it. Talks between the Naval headquarters and AAI officials are on in this regard.

The Navy wants the AAI to leave behind the Very High Frequency Omni Range (VOR), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), all together worth several crores of rupees.

Though the plan was under the active consideration of the Defence Ministry for a long time, it got a fillip following the Kargil war. After the Pakistani Army surprised Indian forces and agencies on theborders, the Navy mandarins have buckled up to keep their shores safe.

According to Naval sources, the airport is ideally located to meet Navy's operational air commitments with respect to South Arabian and South Indian Ocean. ``Being the naval airfield closest to our string of islands in the Arabian Sea, it is of strategic importance,'' they added.

The Navy is planning to have regular maritime reconnaissance for insulating the South Arabian Sea from possible intrusions. ``Policing of our exclusive economic zone will also be one of our priorities.''

With a view to strengthening its patrolling facilities, a Dornier aircraft with medium range maritime reconnaissance capability was added to the inventory of INS Garuda, the Naval Air Station, recently. At present, the air station features a fixed-wing air squadron, an anti-submarine helicopter squadron and a fleet of search and rescue helicopters. It provides 24-hour rescue cover to Naval ships operating off Kochi and also to other traffic in South-EastArabian Sea.

The air station is also extending support to operational flying commitments of Navy involving Chetaks, Seakings, Kamovs, Sea Harriers, HPT-32s, IL-38s and Dorniers.

``The availability of the extra equipment and space will augment the training facilities at the Southern Command,'' an officer said. Other than training, repair of engines and test-flights can also be undertaken.

The airfield has facilities like Naval Aircraft Yard, Naval Aero-Repair Controlling Authority and Naval Aeronautical Quality Assurance Services. It is also providing third and fourth line repair/maintenance facility and quality assurance services to various types of aircraft in the Navy.

However, no decision on an exact date to hand over the civil airport to Navy has been fixed despite several rounds of discussions between the Defence Ministry and AAI.