Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman RPT Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday visited naval units, INS Parundu and INS Kattabomman in south Tamil Nadu, where she interacted with officers. She visited INS Parundu Naval Air Station at Uchipuli in Ramanathapuram District.

Later, accompanied by Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, she visited INS Kattabomman in Tirunelveli district. She was briefed on the unit's activities by Captain Vishal Gupta, the Commanding Officer and she also interacted with officers and sailors, a Defence release said. Naval Air Station Ramnad, which was established as a
Forward Operating Base, was commissioned as INS Parundu on 26 March 2009.

INS Parundu operates a variety of aircraft including helicopters, medium range and remotely piloted aircraft for surveillance along south Tamil Nadu coast. INS Kattabomman, commissioned on 20 October 1990, forms a vital link in communication chain of the Indian Navy and also provides logistic and administrative support for ships and submarines visiting Tuticorin Port, the release said.