New Delhi: Indian Navy has inducted the indigenous ALH MK III aircraft IN 746 into Southern Naval Command at Kochi. The induction was done with the traditional water cannon salute. Commodore VB Bellary, Commanding Officer, INS Garuda, welcomed the aircraft and crew.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the ALH MK III Maritime Reconnaissance and Coastal Security (MRCS) with its Radar, EO/IR suite along-with advanced sensor and avionics package sensor would definitely be a force multiplier in SNC Area of Responsibility.
Captain Ajay Yadav, Commanding Officer of INAS 322, said that the addition of ALH MK III would enable refining of guidelines and SOPs towards deriving maximum training value as well as optimal aircraft/ system exploitation.
The INAS 322 with its integral ALH helicopters has played a central role in life-saving and humanitarian missions since her inception. The most recent examples are cyclones Ockhi and Tauktae. The addition of a capable platform such as an ALH MK III would definitely enhance the unit's operational footprint. Incidentally the Sqn is presently both holding AU 701, (the oldest MkI) and AU 746 (the newest Mk III) in its ranks.
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