In a potent leap for its maritime prowess, India’s navy is unleashing a new breed of winged sharks to dominate the vast Indian Ocean expanse. On March 6th, the elite force will raise its first squadron of the lethal MH-60R Seahawk helicopters at INS Garuda in Kochi.
These menacing choppers, sourced from American arsenals, aren’t just helicopters – they are self-contained weapons of war. Armed with radar-guided Hellfire missiles and torpedoes, they can detect, track, and demolish enemy submarines and surface threats from the air with astonishing accuracy.
But the Seahawks’ prowess extends far beyond just offensive firepower. Their advanced sensors and avionics suite give India’s mariners extended eyes and ears over the ocean’s vast horizons. These birds can search and rescue, evacuate wounded personnel, and supply ammo and essentials mid-mission.
For the Indian navy, it marks the start of an epic new era of virtually unmatched mastery over the high seas. The first six Seahawk sharks have already been delivered, with 18 more terrifying machines slated to join their brethren by 2025 under a massive $2 billion contract with US manufacturers.
Extensively tested for Indian conditions and fully integrated with the navy’s warship armada, the Seahawks exponentially boost India’s “blue-water” operational range and endurance. Their deployment sends an unmistakable message – the Indian Ocean remains a deterrent-laced domain under the country’s tireless maritime guard.
As new-age sea threats mushroom, the incredible versatility of these winged sharks will be India’s ultimate power to establish incontestable control over its strategically vital waters.
