Team Herald
PANJIM: Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH Mk III aircraft was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, at INS Hansa, Dabolim, on Monday.
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, flag-officer commanding in-chief of Western naval Command at INS Hansa were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Naik said that commissioning of the INAS 323 marked yet another milestone in the efforts towards enhancing maritime security and safeguarding maritime interests of the nation, as also embodying the spirit of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
The squadron will operate three state-of-the-arts ALH Mk III, a multirole helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit and will be used for search and rescue, special operations and coastal surveillance.
In all 16 aircraft are under procurement and the aircraft are being delivered in a phased manner to the Indian Navy.
INAS 323 is commanded by Commodore Samik Nundy, an accomplished and experienced ALH pilot with extensive operational experience.
