The Indian Navy is all set to welcome its second MH-60R helicopter unit on 17 December 2025 at INS Hansa in Goa. This new squadron, called INAS 335 and nicknamed 'Ospreys', will be officially launched in front of Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, who is the Chief of the Naval Staff. This is a proud moment for India as we continue to build a more powerful and modern navy.

Think of these helicopters as the Swiss Army knives of naval warfare. Just like how your smartphone can do many things like taking photos, playing music, making calls, and browsing the internet, the MH-60R Seahawk can perform multiple critical tasks. It can hunt down enemy submarines hiding deep underwater, attack hostile ships, rescue people stranded at sea, keep watch over our vast ocean territories, and even fight modern threats like enemy drones and surprise attacks. What makes it truly special is its ability to do all this while operating from aircraft carriers and warships, making it incredibly flexible and valuable.

The helicopter comes packed with cutting-edge technology. Imagine having superhuman senses - that is what these advanced sensors and weapons systems give our navy. The MH-60R, affectionately called 'Romeo' by those who fly it, has become a trusted workhorse for the US Navy and many allied nations worldwide.

Back in 2020, India signed a Foreign Military Sales deal with the United States to purchase 24 of these helicopters for ₹15,157 crore. According to FlightGlobal's 2026 World Air Forces report, 13 have arrived so far, with the remaining 11 coming soon. The first squadron, INAS 334, was commissioned at INS Garuda in Kochi on 6 March last year.

Recently, India signed a crucial maintenance agreement worth ₹7,995 crore (about $946 million) with Lockheed Martin for five years. This keeps all 24 helicopters battle-ready and helps India build its own maintenance facilities, reducing dependence on foreign support - a major step towards self-reliance in defence.

For attacking enemy ships, the MH-60R carries AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for pinpoint strikes, lightweight torpedoes, and machine guns. Advanced radar and electro-optical systems (sophisticated day-and-night cameras) help detect and engage targets accurately.

For hunting submarines lurking beneath the ocean, it uses dipping sonar (a sensor lowered into water to listen for submarines), sonobuoys (floating listening devices), and Mk-54 torpedoes designed to destroy underwater threats.

These powerful helicopters will be deployed on India's most important warships, including our aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, as well as our newest stealth destroyers and frigates. Their presence will significantly boost our ability to defend our coastline and monitor everything happening across crucial sea routes, especially in the Indian Ocean, which is vital for our national security and trade.

Before the MH-60R arrived, the Indian Navy relied on UH-3H Sea King helicopters, which served faithfully for 17 years before being retired on 28 June 2024. They were purchased as a stopgap arrangement while India worked on developing its own helicopters, like the HAL Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III, which represents our indigenous efforts in defence manufacturing.

The addition of INAS 335 marks another milestone in India's journey towards becoming a stronger maritime power. With these advanced helicopters, our navy can better protect our long coastline, secure our territorial waters, safeguard vital shipping lanes, and respond swiftly to any threat. The improved cooperation with the United States also enhances safety and security across the entire Indian Ocean region, benefiting not just India but all nations that depend on these waters for trade and prosperity. As we stand on the threshold of this new chapter, our navy grows more capable, more modern, and more ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.

The author is a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst