It is also the only IAF base in India to have all Departments at one location: fighters, carrier planes, carrier helicopters, attack helicopters, a repair and overhauling depot, TETTRA school, Garud Force, Air Force Hospital, Southern Command Sub Headquarters, & ECHS.

The base was called HMS Vairi and hosted a Fleet Air Arm Royal Navy Air Yard (RNAY) known as RNAY Sulur, a repair base for aircraft operating in Southeast Asia during World War II.

After gaining independence, the Indian Navy established INS Hansa to operate Hawker Sea Hawks.

[6] The 33 squadron "Himalayan Geese" which operated Antonov An-32 medium transport aircraft is based at Sulur.

[10] Starting from July 2018, the air force station is also home of the 45 Squadron "Flying Daggers", which operates HAL Tejas.