April 20, 2024

Orissa

The only significance of Orissa in the Aviation Map of India is that it is home to Charbatia. Charbatia is the ultra-secret airport belonging to the Aviation Research Center [ARC]. The ARC is the air wing of India’s spy agency, the inconspicously named Research and Analysis Wing [RAW]. ARC is believed to have several ELINT and Spy aircraft and a number of An-32s, Gulfstream jets etc are maintained here. For years, ARC used a number of Curtiss C-46 Commando transports for its clandestine operations. They were originally said to have been salvaged from a dump at Dharbanga.