In a ceremony held at INS Utkrosh, Port Blair on Tuesday, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 325, operating the indigenously built ALH MK III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy, officials said on Wednesday.

The INAS 325 was commissioned by Lieutenant General Ajai Singh, AVSM, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar.

The newly inducted aircraft flew for the first time over the Andaman Islands earlier this year and were officially inducted on January 28. The unit is the second ALH MK III Squadron commissioned into the Indian Navy.

The state-of-the-art multi-role helicopter has been developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), Bangalore. This indigenously developed helicopter embodies the mission of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and helps protect maritime interests in the region to boost India’s strategic presence.

To date, over 300 of these aircraft have been delivered by HAL and are being flown by the Armed Forces. Amongst its variants, the MK III variant is a maritime role variant encompassing state-of-the-art sensors and weapons that add punch to India’s prowess at sea. The aircraft would not only strengthen military capabilities in the region but also be able to provide assistance to the local administration in any need of the hour. The helicopter has surveillance radar, EO/FLIR, homer, a high-intensity searchlight and a removable medical intensive care unit for the air ambulance role.

The ALH MK III aircraft is equipped with a glass cockpit, Shakti engines, advanced Maritime Patrol Radar, Electro-optical payload and Night Vision Device.

Andaman and Nicobar Command is India’s only joint theatre command.

The commissioning of the ALH Squadron is a big step in enhancing capabilities to also support islanders and administration in remote areas of the large archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This multi-utility aircraft will serve to majorly boost the military might of the Indian Armed Forces in this region.

The Squadron derives its name from the nocturnal bird of prey, the ‘Eagle Owl’. The keen sense of observation and tracking of the eagle exemplifies the Sensors and advanced avionics of the helicopter akin to the nocturnal prowess of the owl, personifying the night vision capabilities of the aircraft.

The squadron is commanded by Commander (Cdr) Avinash Kumar Sharma, who is a highly proficient and experienced pilot qualified on Chetak, UH-3H and ALH helicopters with more than 2300 hours of flying and over 17 years of distinguished service.

Lieutenant General Ajai Singh congratulated the INS Utkrosh on this momentous occasion. He emphasised the role of the Indian Armed forces during the recent national crisis and highlighted the yeomen service that the ALH has rendered in recent years including during relief operations in India and abroad.

Image source: ANI