The Indian Navy has retired its legendary Sea King Mk 42B helicopter fleet, bringing to a close more than five decades of distinguished service in maritime operations. The retirement was marked by the decommissioning, or "number plating", of Indian Naval Air Squadron 330 (INAS 330) — known as the "Harpoons" — on June 14. Commissioned at INS Garuda in Kochi in April 1971, the squadron became one of the Navy's most decorated aviation units and played a key role in shaping India's carrier-borne and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The Sea King helicopters, inducted between 1971 and 1986, served as the backbone of the Navy's anti-submarine, anti-surface and search-and-rescue operations. The aircraft saw action during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War and achieved a notable milestone when a Sea King became the first multi-role helicopter to land on aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in July 1971. Over the years, the "Flying Frigates" operated from aircraft carriers and frontline warships, supporting combat missions, maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief operations across the Indian Ocean region.
The retirement ceremony at INS Shikra in Mumbai included the fleet's final ceremonial flight, symbolising the end of an era in Indian naval aviation. While the Mk 42B helicopters are being phased out, some airframes will be converted for utility duties or retained as test platforms for future sensors and weapons trials. The Navy is replacing the ageing fleet with the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters while also pursuing indigenous multi-role naval helicopter programmes to meet future operational requirements.
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