The Indian Navy formally commissioned its second squadron of advanced MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters, officially designated as Indian Naval Air Squadron 335 'Ospreys', during a ceremonial event held at INS Hansa naval air base in Goa on December 18, 2025, significantly augmenting the service's anti-submarine warfare, surface surveillance, and search-and-rescue capabilities across strategic maritime domains.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi presided over the commissioning proceedings, which featured a traditional water cannon salute and a ceremonial march-past, while stressing that robust maritime security and credible deterrence constitute indispensable pillars for safeguarding India's burgeoning national interests in an era defined by escalating geopolitical complexities and multifaceted threats.
The Admiral underscored the profound historical resonance of the occasion, noting its alignment with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Navy's Fleet Air Arm—a pivotal decision that propelled naval aviation's integration—and the 64th anniversary of Operation Vijay, the decisive 1961 liberation of Goa, wherein carrier-based air power provided critical offshore support to naval forces.
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Admiral Tripathi elaborated on the Navy's comprehensive modernization trajectory, highlighting forthcoming inductions such as 26 Rafale Marine carrier-borne fighters to enhance long-range strike and fleet air defense, alongside 15 MQ-9B Sea Guardian high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles for persistent maritime domain awareness, complemented by advanced shipborne rotary-wing and uncrewed systems.
As the inaugural operational MH-60R squadron deployed on the Western Seaboard, INAS 335 equips the Indian Navy with cutting-edge, sensor-rich platforms capable of executing diverse missions including anti-submarine prosecution, anti-surface warfare, over-the-horizon targeting, and humanitarian assistance, thereby substantially elevating operational readiness and power projection in the increasingly vital Indian Ocean region.
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