Of these, eleven operate fixed-wing aircraft, ten are helicopter squadrons and the remaining three are equipped with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
On 1 January 1953, the charge of Cochin airfield was handed over to the navy from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
To meet the training requirements of the pilots, the indigenously developed HAL HT-2 trainer was inducted into the FRU.
The first two operated from the newly purchased aircraft carrier INS Vikrant flying Sea Hawks and Alizés, whereas the latter one, equipped with Vampires, was used for training purposes.
The patrol squadron was initially equipped with Islander aircraft, but they were replaced by Dornier 228s in 2000.
[15] However, the Sea Harriers were phased out in May 2016, and presently the operational status of the squadron is unknown.