Maintenance Command


Maintenance Command is a command of the Indian Air Force. It was raised as Maintenance Group at Chakeri in Kanpur in 1950. In 1955, it was designated as Maintenance Command. Its current headquarters is located at Vayusena Nagar in Nagpur ; it handles the repair, overhaul and maintenance of all aircraft, helicopters and other equipment. MC has about nine Base Repair Depots taking care of the overhaul and maintenance of various types of aircraft.

History

The Maintenance Command was established on 26 January 1955. Group Captain Harjinder Singh was the first Commanding Officer. Harjinder Singh, a legendary engineering officer with many firsts to his credit was at the helm of the command until his retirement in 1963. The appointment of the CO was upgraded to Air Officer Commanding in 1958 when Singh was promoted to Air Commodore. It was further upgraded to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief when he was promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal. In 1971, the appointment of AOC-in-C was upgraded to the three-star rank of Air Marshal.

Organisation

The command has several types of Base Repair Depots and Equipment Depots . They are categorised by their specialisation and functions. These units are commanded by an officer of rank Air Commodre.
UnitLocationFunctionRef
1 Base Repair Depot KanpurAn-32 overhaul
3 Base Repair Depot ChandigarhMi-17, Mi-26, Mi-35 overhaul
4 Base Repair Depot KanpurR 29 engine + M53 engine
5 Base Repair Depot SulurHS 748, Trainer aircraft overhaul
7 Base Repair Depot TughlakabadMissiles, Radars, etc.
8 Base Repair Depot Avadi
9 Base Repair Depot Pune
11 Base Repair Depot OjharMiG-23, MiG-29 overhaul
12 Base Repair Depot NafdarjungParachute and safety system
13 Base Repair Depot Palam
14 Base Repair Depot BorjharRadar maintenance
15 Base Repair Depot VadsarCommunication equipment
16 Base Repair Depot PalamParachute and safety system

There are other units which are based under Maintenance Command