On March 6, 2024, the Indian Navy will commission the MH 60R Seahawk, a Blackhawk helicopter maritime derivative. The ceremony will take place at INS Garuda in Kochi. The Seahawks squadron will be commissioned into the Indian Navy’s INAS 334 squadron.
Following the introduction of the Seahawks, the Indian Navy will witness a significant improvement in its capabilities, particularly in the marine domain. There are several capabilities that the helicopter possesses, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and vertical replenishment (VERTREP). The helicopter has been put through rigorous testing in conditions that are representative of the Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) and has been fully integrated into the fleet. Because they are outfitted with advanced armament, sensors, and an arsenal of avionics, the Seahawks offer the Indian Navy greater capabilities against both asymmetric and conventional threats. As a result, they are an ideal vessel for maritime security.
The MH-60R helicopter would enhance India’s capabilities in blue water, hence broadening the Navy’s operational reach and making it easier for the Navy to conduct uninterrupted naval operations throughout a wide range of maritime domains and spectrum. The Indian Navy’s maritime presence would be strengthened by deploying the Seahawk in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which would discourage possible adversaries and ensure a secure and safe environment in this region of crucial strategic importance.
