Hansa: The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335 'Osprey,' at INS Hansa in Goa on December 17, 2025, marking a major expansion of its maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, presided over the ceremony at India's largest naval airbase.

The commissioning follows India's recent $946 million sustainment deal with the United States for its fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, signed in early December 2025. The five-year package includes spare parts, technical assistance, training, and the establishment of maintenance facilities in India.

Strategic Enhancement

"The commissioning of INAS 335 marks the induction of the Indian Navy's second MH-60R Squadron, significantly enhancing our maritime surveillance, strike and multirole helicopter capability," said Captain Dhirender Bisht, Commanding Officer of INAS 335. "It will function as the eyes, ears and first hunters of the fleet, providing real-time situational awareness, undersea warfare capability and rapid response across our vast maritime spaces."

The MH-60R, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and avionics for anti-submarine warfare, surface surveillance, and search and rescue missions. Lieutenant Commander Prakhar Bhargava, Senior Pilot of INAS 335, described it as "the most advanced helicopter with the Indian Navy" that "can operate both day and night".

Fleet Modernization

India purchased the 24 MH-60R helicopters under a Foreign Military Sales agreement in 2020, with approximately 15 aircraft inducted to date. The first squadron, INAS 334 'Seahawks,' was commissioned in March 2024 at INS Garuda, Kochi.

The helicopters can carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, lightweight torpedoes, and machine guns, supported by multi-mode radar and electro-optical systems. The aircraft has been fully integrated with fleet operations and enhances the Navy's ability to address conventional and asymmetric threats in the Indian Ocean Region.

The commissioning is part of the Indian Navy's broader modernisation efforts, which include plans to expand its fleet to 150-160 warships by 2030. INS Hansa currently operates over 40 military aircraft and handles an average of 29,000 flights annually, as it also functions as a civilian aviation base.