INAS 335 Ospreys commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa enhances India’s maritime security with MH‑60R helicopters for anti-submarine, rescue, and surveillance missions.
Indian Navy Commissions INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ Squadron in Goa
Panaji, Goa: In a landmark stride towards strengthening maritime defence, the Indian Navy formally commissioned its second naval helicopter squadron — INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ — at INS Hansa, Goa on 17 December 2025. The ceremony was presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, marking a significant enhancement in India’s coastal and undersea warfare capabilities
The squadron operates the advanced Sikorsky MH-60R multi-role helicopters, also known as “Romeo”. These all-weather aircraft are equipped with cutting-edge sensors, avionics, surveillance systems, and weaponry, enabling them to perform a broad range of missions
The ceremonial event witnessed the traditional water cannon salute and was attended by senior naval leadership, including Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Captain Dhirender Bisht, the commanding officer of INAS 335, read out the commissioning warrant before the plaque was unveiled.
Overview of MH-60R Helicopters and Squadron Role
The MH-60R helicopters form the backbone of India’s underwater and surface threat detection capabilities. These aircraft can execute Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), and vertical replenishment operations (VERTREP). They effectively extend the fleet’s reach across expansive maritime zones, significantly improving operational flexibility
INAS 335 is the second squadron of such helicopters, following the earlier induction of INAS 334 at Kochi, Kerala in March 2024. The commissioning in Goa strategically positions these airborne assets on the Western Seaboard, helping secure India’s crucial maritime interests in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Region.
Strategic Importance for India’s Maritime Security
The induction of the ‘Ospreys’ highlights India’s commitment to robust naval modernization in the face of evolving security dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region. These helicopters enhance maritime domain awareness and act as force multipliers for the Indian Navy, helping deter threats from hostile submarines and surface vessels.
With growing geopolitical competition and increased naval activity by extra-regional powers, such capabilities play a vital role in securing sea lines of communication and protecting national interests.
Why This News Is Important for Government Exam Aspirants
Relevance to Defence & Security Awareness
The commissioning of INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ is a significant defence development highlighting India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its naval aviation and maritime security apparatus. It showcases the role of advanced technology in safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime trade routes — a key topic in General Studies Paper II and III of civil services and defence entrance examinations.
Significance in Strategic Military Modernization
Understanding the induction of multi-role platforms like the MH-60R helicopters provides insight into India’s strategic response to emerging threats in the Indian Ocean Region, especially related to submarine warfare and surveillance. This news directly links to themes such as national security, defence capability enhancement, and Indo-Pacific geopolitics — areas frequently tested in competitive exams.
Historical Context: Indian Naval Aviation Evolution
India’s naval air capabilities have steadily evolved since the commissioning of its Fleet Air Arm in 1950, which transformed the Navy into a multidimensional force capable of projecting power across sea and air. Over the decades, India has inducted various fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft to strengthen maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat readiness.
The first operational MH-60R squadron (INAS 334) was commissioned in March 2024 at INS Garuda in Kochi, marking the beginning of integrating cutting-edge American helicopters into Indian naval operations. The commissioning of INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ at Goa represents the next step in this strategic progression — expanding the Navy’s reach to the Western Seaboard and enhancing readiness against conventional and asymmetric threats.
Key Takeaways from Indian Navy’s INAS 335 Commissioning
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ is the second MH-60R helicopter squadron commissioned by the Indian Navy at INS Hansa, Goa on 17 December 2025. |
| 2 | The squadron operates MH-60R multi-role helicopters, capable of ASW, ASuW, SAR, MEDEVAC & VERTREP missions. |
| 3 | The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. |
| 4 | It significantly strengthens India’s maritime domain awareness and anti-submarine warfare capabilities on the Western Seaboard. |
| 5 | The induction reflects the Navy’s modernization drive in response to the dynamic security environment in the Indian Ocean Region. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’?
A: INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ is the Indian Navy’s second squadron of MH‑60R multi-role helicopters, commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa on 17 December 2025.
Q2: Which aircraft does INAS 335 operate?
A: The squadron operates MH‑60R Romeo helicopters, capable of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search & rescue, and medical evacuation operations.
Q3: Who presided over the commissioning ceremony of INAS 335?
A: The ceremony was presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.
Q4: Why is the commissioning of INAS 335 important?
A: It strengthens India’s maritime domain awareness, enhances anti-submarine capabilities on the Western Seaboard, and boosts strategic readiness in the Indian Ocean Region.
Q5: Where is INAS 335 based and why is the location strategic?
A: INAS 335 is based at INS Hansa, Goa, which is strategically located on India’s Western Seaboard to safeguard sea lines of communication in the Arabian Sea.
Q6: When was the first MH‑60R squadron commissioned in India?
A: The first MH‑60R squadron, INAS 334, was commissioned in March 2024 at INS Garuda, Kochi.
Q7: What are the primary missions of MH‑60R helicopters?
A: They perform Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search & Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) operations.
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