Indian Navy to Commission Second MH-60R Seahawk Squadron, INAS 335, at INS Hansa on December 17
The Indian Navy is poised to enhance its aviation capabilities with the upcoming commissioning of its second MH-60R Seahawk helicopter squadron, designated INAS 335 (Ospreys), on December 17, 2025. This significant event is set to take place at INS Hansa in Goa, reflecting a key advancement in the Navy’s ongoing aviation modernization efforts.
The formal induction ceremony will be attended by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, who will oversee the squadron's integration into active naval operations.
Outfitted with cutting-edge sensors, avionics, and weapon systems, the MH-60R helicopters are designed to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s capability to address both conventional and asymmetric threats. These versatile helicopters are equipped for a variety of roles, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, and search-and-rescue operations.
Officials have reported that the MH-60R aircraft are already fully integrated into fleet operations, having proven their operational efficacy on numerous occasions. The addition of INAS 335 to the fleet is expected to greatly bolster the Navy’s aviation capacity, thereby enhancing maritime domain awareness and combat readiness throughout the Indian Ocean Region.
The introduction of the Ospreys squadron highlights the Indian Navy’s ongoing commitment to improving capabilities, advancing technological modernization, and ensuring operational preparedness amid an increasingly complex maritime security landscape.
