The base was established in 1940 by the Royal Navy of the then British Raj. 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. The base was burned down on 26 August 1942 during the 1942 August revolution. In 1943, the Indian Royal Air Force came to Sulur, which later transferred to Cochin in 1949. After gaining independence, the Indian Navy established INS Hansa to operate Hawker Sea Hawks. After the liberation of Goa, INA Hansa was shifted to Goa's Dabolim airfield and Sulur was taken over by the air force. In 1955, the 5BRD (No 5, Base Repair Depot) of the Indian Air Force was planned and it started functioning in 1959. The airbase was also used for civil aviation and for racing motorcycles and cars in the 1960s. Since 14 January 1984 this base has been completely operated and maintained by the Indian Air Force.

The IAF squadron 33 "Himalayan Geese" which operated Antonov An-32 heavy air lifter aircraft is based at Sulur. The base also accommodates helicopter unit squadron 109 "Knights" operating Mil Mi-8 transport helicopters. The Sarang helicopter display team of the Indian Air Force (squadron 151) has its primary garrison at Sulur and operates modified HAL Dhruv helicopters. .

An Antonov An-32 operated by IAF, similar to ones operated by Squadron 33 HU "Himalayan Geese"

A Mil Mi-8 helicopter operated by IAF, similar to ones operated by Squadron 109 HU "Knights"

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