New Delhi: The Indian Navy is poised to commission its second MH-60R Seahawk helicopter squadron — INAS 335 (Ospreys) — on 17 December 2025 at INS Hansa in Goa.
This move marks another significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernize its naval aviation capabilities amid heightened maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Scheduled to be presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the commissioning reinforces India’s resolve to safeguard its maritime interests through enhanced anti-submarine and multi-role airborne capabilities.
Background of Second MH-60R squadron
The Indian Navy began inducting the MH-60R “Romeo” multi-role helicopters — manufactured by Lockheed Martin — under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the United States.
Indian Navy Signs Pact With Crimson Energy to Build AI-Powered Deepdarshak Maritime Analytics System
The first MH-60R squadron, INAS 334, was commissioned on 6 March 2024 at INS Garuda, Kochi, marking India’s initial step toward integrating advanced rotary wing assets for maritime operations.
Capable of operating from shore bases or warships at sea, the MH-60R is a versatile platform designed for a range of missions including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), surveillance, and other naval tasks.
INAS 335 (Ospreys): The New Squadron
Designated INAS 335 and nicknamed the Ospreys, the second MH-60R squadron will be formally inducted at INS Hansa, a key naval air station in Goa. The squadron’s commissioning reflects the Indian Navy’s continuing modernization efforts and adds a potent airborne edge to its existing fleet capabilities.
Role and Operational Significance of Second MH-60R squadron
The mission set of the MH-60R Seahawk includes:
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): Detecting, tracking, and engaging hostile submarines using advanced dipping sonar systems and sonobuoys.
Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW): Engaging surface targets using airborne radar and weapons systems.
Surveillance and Intelligence: Enhancing maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Search & Rescue (SAR): Rapid response during maritime emergencies.
Equipped with an advanced suite of sensors, avionics, and integrated mission systems, the MH-60R significantly enhances detection, classification, and engagement capabilities across wide maritime zones.
Strategic Implications of Second MH-60R squadron in the Indo-Pacific
The commissioning of INAS 335 assumes heightened strategic importance against the backdrop of increasing submarine deployments, evolving naval doctrines, and intensifying great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific theatre.
The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed expanding naval activity by multiple state actors, elevating the demand for sophisticated anti-submarine warfare assets. Advanced helicopter squadrons like the MH-60R become force multipliers by improving reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat response capabilities across sea lanes that are vital for global commerce and regional security.
In addition to bolstering India’s deterrence posture, increased MH-60R fleet strength enables greater interoperability with partner navies, reinforcing cooperative frameworks such as MALABAR, QUAD, and other bilateral or multilateral engagements focused on maritime security.
