Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: The Indian Navy on Thursday commissioned INAS 335, christened the ‘Ospreys’, at INS Hansa in Goa, marking the induction of MH-60R multi-role helicopters as the Navy’s first fully operational squadron on the Western Seaboard.
Addressing the commissioning ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar said the induction comes at a historic moment, coinciding with 75 years of India’s Fleet Air Arm and 64 years since Operation Vijay, which led to the liberation of Goa. He said the occasion reflects the Navy’s rich aviation legacy and its continued transformation to meet emerging maritime challenges.
The Chief of the Naval Staff highlighted that the MH-60R helicopters are equipped with advanced sensors and modern weapon systems, which will substantially enhance the Navy’s capabilities in maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, strike operations and search-and-rescue missions across the Western Seaboard.
Emphasising the Navy’s thrust on Aatmanirbharta, Admiral Kumar said indigenous weapons and systems have been integrated into the platform. He added that INAS 335 is fully operational and ready to deploy with the Fleet from Day One, significantly strengthening the Indian Navy’s operational readiness and maritime security posture.
