Indian Navy to Commission MH-60R Helicopter Squadron
The commissioning of the second Indian Navy MH-60R helicopter squadron will be a significant milestone in the Indian Army in terms of its aviation and combat power. Formal induction of INAS 335, or Ospreys as it is commonly referred to, will be done on December 17, at INS Hansa, Goa. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, will be present in the ceremony. This trend indicates the increased interest of India in reinforcing maritime security and preparing the navy on high-end platforms and the continuous Indian Navy modernisation.
Commissioning of INAS 335 at INS Hansa
The presentation of INAS 335 is the Indian Navy MH-60R helicopter squadron program excellent advancement. Having a base at INS Hansa, Goa, the squadron will seek state of the art MH-60R multi role helicopters that have already been incorporated in the fleet operations. The use of these heliborne aircrafts has been proved to be useful in terms of operation in several missions and exercises alongside the front line naval vessels.
Induction of this squadron will enhance the capability of the Navy to undertake sustained operations in the Indian Ocean Region. Having a greater reach and the ability to respond quickly, the squadron will support aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates, further increasing the overall combat capabilities of the Navy.
MH-60R Helicopters: Advanced Technology and Combat Edge
The Indian Navy MH-60R helicopter squadron is armed with helicopters that have superior sensors, advanced avionics, and a high-quality weapons system. The helicopters can be used in anti-submarine war, anti-surface war, intelligence collection, surveillance, search and rescue, and logistics.
The MH-60R with its multi-mode radar, dipping sonar, electronic warfare systems, and secure communication networks will also be able to combat conventional naval threats and asymmetric threats such as piracy and maritime terrorism. This flexibility will make the platform an important resource in the current Indian Navy modernisation.
Boost to Indian Navy Modernisation and Maritime Security
The development of INAS 335 emphasizes the focus of the Indian Navy on the continued Indian Navy modernisation and technological development. With the development of maritime challenges, the introduction of advanced platforms, such as MH-60R, will help to provide improved situational awareness, prompt response, and operational dominance.This fleet will be instrumental in protecting the maritime interests of India and strengthening the Indian Ocean Region. The induction also brings out the long term vision of the Navy to have a technologically advanced, mission ready force that will be able to respond to future security challenges.
