Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in the presence of Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command, at INS Hansa, Goa on 19 Apr 21. Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri said that the commissioning of INAS 323 marked yet another milestone in the efforts towards enhancing maritime security and safeguarding maritime interests of the nation, as also embodying the spirit of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
The squadron will operate three state-of-the-arts ALH Mk III, a multirole helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit and will be used for Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance. 16 aircraft are under procurement and the aircraft are being delivered in a phased manner to the Indian Navy.
INAS 323 is commanded by CDR Samik Nundy, an accomplished and experienced ALH pilot with extensive operational experience.
Trending
- Axiom-4 Countdown Begins: Shubhanshu Shukla and Crew Set for 22.5-Hour Journey Back to Earth
- “Six Hours’ Notice, No Safety Assurances”: New U.S. Deportation Policy Raises Alarms
- FAA, Boeing Declare Fuel Switches Safe Amid Air India Crash Probe; ALPA, CEO Urge Caution Against Speculation
- Gadkari: Society Needs Citizens Who Take Govt to Court to Ensure Accountability
- Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju Appointed New Governor of Goa
- MoS Shripad Defends Ferry Names, Slams GPCC President’s Remarks
- RoRo Revolution: Goa Plans Statewide Modern Ferry Network
- “Goa Police has always been very fast and effective”