Lucknow
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 38 Wing at Bakshi Ka Talab in Lucknow is set to undergo a significant expansion to enhance its capabilities for handling multiple air operations. The base, currently used for Jaguar fighters and training sorties for the Surya Kiran aerobatic team, will be transformed into a comprehensive facility equipped to manage fighter jets and cargo aircraft. An IAF official stated that the IAF is actively upgrading and expanding its existing bases across the country, and the BKT base in Lucknow is no exception. While the base primarily handles fighter aircraft and their maintenance, it has also been used for occasional landings of wide-body aircraft like the C-130 J Super Hercules. Over the next few years, the station is slated to become a fully operational base with the capacity to manage multiple types of aircraft and provide technical expertise. Established as the 8 Care and Maintenance Unit at 15 Wing Bareilly in 1963, the unit was relocated to its present location in 1966 under the administrative and functional control of Headquarters Central Air Command. In 1966, the 11 Squadron with Dakotas (transport aircraft) moved to the BKT station, where they operated ferry trips to CarNicobar. In 1980, the Air Defence Flight (ADF) was stationed at this base, but it was subsequently moved to Bareilly in 1992. In the same year, the 71 Radio Maintenance Unit (RMU) was established at the base. The BKT base, initially created to provide basic facilities to aircraft at short notice, was upgraded to become the 38 Wing in November 2014, signifying its growing importance and role within the IAF.
