Overview
- The commissioning at INS Hansa will be held in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, according to official statements.
- INAS 335 becomes the Navy’s second MH-60R unit after INAS 334 was stood up at Kochi in March 2024.
- The MH-60R brings advanced sensors, dipping sonar, sonobuoys and a modern avionics suite for multi-role missions including ASW, ASuW, SAR, medevac and vertical replenishment.
- Reports indicate at least 15 of the 24 helicopters have been delivered so far under the February 2020 Foreign Military Sales deal with the United States.
- A recent India–US sustainment package worth about Rs 7,995 crore provides spares, training, technical support and in-country repair facilities to bolster readiness.