Indian Navy to commission second MH-60R helicopter squadron at Goa

The Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335 (Ospreys), on December 17 at INS Hansa in Goa, in the presence of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.

The event will mark a significant milestone in the Navy’s ongoing drive towards modernisation and capability enhancement.

The Indian Navy said that equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and a state-of-the-art avionics suite, the MH-60R is a versatile multi-role platform capable of effectively addressing both conventional and asymmetric threats. The helicopter has been fully integrated with fleet operations and has already demonstrated its operational effectiveness on several occasions.

The commissioning of INAS 335 will provide a major boost to the Indian Navy’s integral aviation capabilities, significantly enhancing its operational readiness. The induction of the MH-60R will further strengthen India’s blue-water capabilities by extending the Navy’s operational reach and enabling sustained naval operations across the full spectrum over vast maritime domains.

Deployment of the Seahawk helicopters in the Indian Ocean Region will reinforce the Indian Navy’s maritime presence, deter potential threats, and contribute to maintaining a secure and stable environment in this strategically vital region.

The Indian Navy had commissioned its first squadron of the multi-role MH-60R helicopters on March 6 last year at Kochi, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its maritime aviation capability.