Indian Navy to get squadron of sub-hunting copters on Dec 17

The Indian Navy will commission its second MH 60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335, named the ‘Ospreys’, on December 17 at INS Hansa, Goa.

Made by US company Lockheed Martin, the MH 60R is the principal ship-borne anti-submarine and multi-role maritime helicopter with the Navy.

Advanced weapons, sensors and avionics suite make the helicopter a versatile and capable asset for the Indian Navy, offering enhanced capabilities to address conventional as well as asymmetric threats.

The copter is fully integrated with fleet operations and has proven its worth on numerous occasions. The Indian Navy will receive a significant fillip in its integral aviation capabilities with the commissioning of the squadron. The first operational MH-60R squadron, INAS 334 called the ‘seahawks’ was commissioned at INS Garuda, Kochi, in March last year.

In August 2018, the Ministry of Defence decided to purchase 24 copters and signed a Rs 15,157 crore contract in February 2020. The MH-60Rs have been integrated with the indigenously developed aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

Last month, India and the US inked a military contract for Rs 7,995 crore to sustain these copters. The  comprehensive package included provision of spares, support equipment, product support, training and technical support, repair and replenishment of components and setting up of ‘intermediate’ level component repairs and periodic maintenance inspection facilities in India.

In October 2024, the US okayed the sale of 53 aircraft-launched MK-54 Lightweight Torpedo, which has a range of around 10 km, for the MH-60R along with associated equipment, support and training.