After 46 years of faithful service, the Indian Navy decommissioned its last Ilyushin Il-38 Sea Dragon maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

The Il-38’s farewell ceremony, attended by senior Indian Navy officers, dignitaries and veteran officers and crew members of the IL-38 squadron, took place at INS Hansa Air Base, GOA.

The IL-38 Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft of the #IndianNavy bid adieu after 46 yrs of glorious service to the nation.
The decommissioning ceremony was held today at #INSHansa, Dabolim. Adm R Hari Kumar #CNS was the Chief Guest.#WingedStallion@IN_WNC @IN_GNA pic.twitter.com/8VaK0iabsM

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) October 31, 2023

Indian Sea Dragon

Indian Naval Air Squadron 315 (INAS 315) entered service on October 1, 1977 with the introduction of the IL-38, which ushered in a modern era of long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare in the Indian Navy. The IL-38 SD proved over the years to be a formidable force multiplier due to its unique qualities, strike capability and extensive patrol range in the vast Indian Ocean region.

On January 15, 2006, the first modernized Il-38 SD joined the squadron. The aircraft features a wide range of surveillance equipment including a new maritime patrol radar, an ESM antenna array, a magnetometer sensor and an electro-optical (EO) system. This equipment enabled the Sea Dragons to significantly increase detection and classification ranges of surface ships and submarines. Their surface attack capability was also enhanced with the integration of Russian Kh-35 anti-ship missiles.

Towards westernization?

The IL-38 Sea Dragon retirement ceremony marks the end of an era, leaving the Russian Navy as the sole and last operator of this model.

See also: Indian Navy receives its first three MH-60R ASW helicopters

The patrol duties of the Indian Sea Dragons were taken over by India’s modern fleet of Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft, which were originally acquired to replace the Tupolev Tu-142ME «Albatross», also of Russian origin. The Indian Navy already operates 12 Poseidons and expects to receive another 6 units, which would make it the second largest fleet of P-8 aircraft in the world.