Indian Navy Il-38SD Sea Dragon fleet makes final public appearance

The Indian Navy’s long-serving, Soviet-era Ilyushin Il-38SD Sea Dragon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet made its final public appearance during the nation’s Republic Day Parade flypast over New Delhi on January 26, ahead of the type’s upcoming retirement later this year. Flanked by two Indian Air Force (IAF)-operated Antonov An-32 ‘Sutlej’ tactical transports, a sole Il-38SD took part in the large-scale flypast, which comprised more than 50 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters from the IAF, Indian Army Aviation Corps (IAAC) and