The Shorts Sealand was the first ac to be inducted after the establishment of the Dte of Naval Aviation in the Indian Navy. An order for ten of these was placed in 1952. At that time no other Navy in the world had this a/c, which meant the defence minister was under fire!
“Scandal of Sealands” – In a parliament debate on 24 March 1953 the Defence Minister, Sardar Majithia (ex IAF officer and CO, 2 Sqn) eloquently explains the logic to Shri Jaipal Singh. The extract of the debate is attached as images. (size of the print can be challenging!).
The first Sealand INS-101 was handed over on 13 Jan 53. The Fleet Requirements Unit was commissioned with Lt Cdr YN Singh as CO. The FRU operated from Cochin’s airfield at Willingdon Island, known as INS Vendurthy II, later as INS Garuda. The Sealand was in service until 1963.
A bold move! Did the Sealand meet the need? Were the arguments made by Sardar Majithia true with the benefit of hindsight? Why it was considered a scandal for one reason was that it had the same engine as the De Havilland Devon which the IAF had. Read this snippet from the minister!
Originally published on Twitter
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