INAS 323

INAS 323
Active19 April 2021 - Present
Country India
BranchIndian Navy seal Indian Navy
Garrison/HQINS Hansa, Goa
Nickname(s)Harriers
Commanders
Current
commander		Cdr Ashwin Simha
Aircraft flown
Multirole helicopterDhruv Mk.3 MR

The INAS 323 is an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Hansa, Goa. It operates the multi-role helicopter HAL Dhruv in maritime configuration. The primary role of the squadron is Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance.[1]

History

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Indian Navy commissioned its newest aircraft squadron in the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri Shripad Naik and Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar on 19 April, 2021. The squadron is equipped with state of art ingenuously built HAL Dhruv designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft in use has been heavily modified for naval use and incorporates 19 major changes to suit the Navy's need.[2]

Indian Navy ordered 16 helicopters for search and rescue operations in 2017. These features advance instrumentation overs its older brethren Mk.1 variant already in-service with the Indian Navy. The newer aircraft features full digital glass cockpit, powerful Shakti engine and hosts of other sensors and equipment. Six of the 16 ordered will feature low frequency dunking sonar from Bharat Electronics[3][4]

One of the helicopter from INAS 323 was equipped with Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.[5][6]

Operations

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Initially, the squadron was commissioned with 3 helicopters. The first CO is Cdr Samik Nundy. An ace Dhruv pilot, with an extensive experience in operating the chopper..[7][8]

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References

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  1. ^ "INAS 323 Commissioned at goa as first unit of indigenously built ALH MK III Enters Naval Service". Indian Navy. 19 April 2021.
  2. ^ "HAL to provide 32 ALH-Dhruv choppers to Navy, Coast Guard". Zee News. 30 March 2017.
  3. ^ "The Indian Navy and Coast Guard's ALH 'Dhruv' Mk-III helicopters". Vertical Magazine. 23 November 2020.
  4. ^ "India's DRDO showcases Low Frequency Dunking Sonar for ASW helicopters". Navy Recognition. 6 February 2014.
  5. ^ "ALH MK III Aircraft of Indian Navy Fitted with Medical ICU". Indian Navy. 30 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Navy's ALH MK III aircraft fitted with medical ICU for critical patients' evacuation". ANI. 30 May 2021.
  7. ^ "INAS 323 commissioned at Goa as first unit of indigenously built ALH MK III enters Naval Service". PIB. 19 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Indian Navy's first unit of indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopters enters service". New Indian Express. 19 April 2021.
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