India has successfully completed a major logistical and operational feat in its nearly 45-year-old Antarctic mission, delivering supplies to its permanent research stations via a direct air cargo flight for the very first time.
The landmark mission, orchestrated by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), saw a heavy-duty Russian-built IL-76 cargo aircraft take off from the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, in Goa.
The flight carried 18 tonnes of crucial cargo, including scientific equipment, medicines, and essential annual provisions for researchers at India’s two active stations on the icy continent: Maitri and Bharati.
For decades, India has relied on long, weeks-long sea voyages, often involving ships operated by other nations, to resupply its Antarctic bases. This traditional sea route has faced increasing delays and disruptions in recent years due to global supply chain issues and uncertain geopolitical conditions.
Dr. Thamban Meloth, Director of NCPOR, emphasized the significance of the achievement: “This direct air route strengthens India’s self-reliant polar logistics and underscores our commitment to cutting-edge Antarctic research.”
The air cargo option, while more expensive, drastically cuts down the transit time, ensuring that critical scientific instruments and perishable supplies reach the researchers faster and more reliably.
The air mission was facilitated under the Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN), a collaborative initiative of countries operating research bases in East Antarctica. The specialized IL-76 aircraft, capable of landing on the continent’s designated blue-ice runways, flew to Antarctica via the gateway city of Cape Town, South Africa.
This historic air delivery establishes India among a select group of nations with the capability to airlift heavy cargo directly to its research posts, marking a new chapter in the nation’s ambitious polar science program.
