Indian Navy Commissions MH 60R Seahawk Helicopter at INS Garuda, Kochi
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Commissioning of MH 60R Seahawk helicopter |
| Date | March 6, 2024 |
| Location | INS Garuda, Kochi |
| Squadron Designation | INAS 334 |
| Contract Details | 24-aircraft Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract signed with the US government in February 2020 |
| Primary Roles | Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), vertical replenishment (VERTREP) |
| Testing Conditions | Rigorously tested under Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) conditions |
| Operational Reach | Enhances blue-water capabilities and extends operational reach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) |
| Strategic Significance | Strengthens maritime posture, acts as a deterrent, and aligns with India's SAGAR initiative |