The last of the facilities-Pegasus Engine Repair and Overhaul-of Project Ashok was formally commissioned by Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Chief of Naval Staff, at the Naval Aircraft Yard (Kochi). Named after late Capt Ashok Sawhney, a pioneering Air Engineer, Project Ashok is a fitting tribute to this visionary who built up brick-by-brick the present Naval Aircraft Yard at Kochi. The Admiral, after unveiling the commissioning plaque, dedicated the project to the Indian Navy. The project was set up in 1994 towards creation of deep repair facilities for the Sea Harrier aircraft at the Yard.

There are nine facilities set up under the project at a cost of Rs 310 crore. The major ones at Kochi include landing gear and hydraulics, environmental control systems, structural repairs, power generator, avionics, Pegasus engine test bed and Pegasus engine repair and overhaul.

Today, India is one of the few countries in the world to possess transfer of technology of this calibre of Pegasus engine overhaul. Several indigenous and foreign vendors were involved in this project. The first of the overhauled engines is awaiting test flight. The Yard, through this project, has achieved interfacing of man, machine and technology at its optimal best. The positive change now visible in terms of quantity and quality in the work output is a direct result of the recent technological upgradation.

Cmde Koshy Varughese, Commodore Superintendent welcomed the guests while Capt R Santhanam, Project Director, read the report. Mr Tim Jones, Director South Asia for M/s Rolls Royce handed over the certificate to Cdr S Dureja. Also present on the occasion were Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, FOC-in-C, Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral SV Gopalachari, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and other dignitaries.