🇮🇳 Coimbatore Air Force Station Airport

Sulur Air Force Base (VOSX), located near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, is a major military airbase, not a small private airport or airfield. It is India's second-largest airbase, covering over 1,000 acres.

• Location and Runway: Situated near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, the base features a 2,516-meter runway.
• Known Uses: Sulur is fully operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and serves as a strategic facility for India's Southern Air Command. It hosts advanced fighter squadrons, transport aircraft, and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team. Notable units include No. 5 Base Repair Depot (5 BRD) for aircraft overhaul, No. 43 Wing for operational support, IAF Squadron 33 "Himalayan Geese" with Antonov An-32 airlifters, and Helicopter Unit Squadron 109 "Knights" with Mil Mi-8 helicopters. The base is also a significant maintenance hub.
• Historical Significance: Established in 1940 as a Royal Navy airfield during World War II, it was initially known as RNAS Sulur and served as a critical repair and transit base for Allied forces. It played a role in the independence movement when it was set ablaze during the 1942 Quit India Movement. After India's independence, the Indian Navy briefly operated INS Hansa at Sulur before the base was transferred to the IAF in 1956.
• Public Access: Sulur Air Force Base is a high-security, restricted military facility with no routine public access, visiting hours, or ticket sales. Access is strictly limited to authorized personnel with prior written permission from the Indian Air Force. Photography is generally prohibited except during sanctioned events. On rare occasions, it may host invitation-only ceremonies or air shows.
• Community Initiatives: The base contributes to the local community through the Air Force School Sulur and the Sulur Air Force Station Museum.
• Recent Activity: As of mid-2026, the base is undergoing infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, with tenders issued for electrical and mechanical infrastructure, and comprehensive building and accommodation maintenance. The IAF is also seeking expressions of interest for the indigenous development of an Aircraft Circuit Check Box-Workshop for 5 BRD at Sulur.

*Sources researched: audiala.com, tendershark.com*