The Indian Navy commissioned INAS 335, a new naval air squadron, at the INS Hansa airbase in Goa on 17 December. Widely known as the ‘The Ospreys,’ this is the second unit to field MH-60R multi-role helicopters after INAS 334 based in INS Garuda, Kochi. The commissioning ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Tuesday.
Expecting the new squadron to boost maritime domain awareness and enhance rapid response across anti-submarine warfare, the INAS 335 will help in advancing maritime strikes and search-and-rescue operations. These helicopters have also demonstrated their capabilities in previous exercises, like TROPEX 2025 and Operation Sindoor.
Commemorating 75 years since the approval of the formation of a Fleet Air Arm for the Navy in 1947, this commissioning ceremony highlights an important step that seeks to strengthen India’s submarine warfare, surveillance capabilities and deep-sea operations.
About the aircraft
The MH-60R is a state-of-the-art Seahawk helicopter, fully integrated with operations of the Indian Navy’s fleet and can operate from both shore bases as well as naval vessels, including aircraft carriers and other large ships. It has been thoroughly tested in Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) conditions. It is set to replace the long-serving British-made Sea King helicopters, which have been in service with the Indian Navy for decades.
Built by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, according to US Navy specifications, the MH-60R’s special variant played a key role in Operation Neptune Spear in 2011, which killed Osama Bin Laden. Equipped with a significant digital sensor suite, including multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, infrared cameras and dipping sonars among others, the aircraft is built to equip torpedoes, air-to-ground missiles and on-board guns, according to officials.