Indian Navy to Boost Surveillance With MQ-9 Drones, C-295 Aircraft

Boosting Surveillance Capabilities

The Indian Navy will improve its surveillance competencies with the induction of indigenous aircraft, said Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on 18^th December 2025. Speaking to ANI, Admiral Tripathi was of the opinion that the Navy is receiving 31 MQ-9 drones, with 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and Air Force. He added that the Navy is also teaming up with the Coast Guard to obtain the C-295 base aircraft. Also, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy is considering acquiring 6 additional P-8I aircraft to meet its total need of 27.

"We need 31 MQ-9s, 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and Air Force... We are looking forward to their induction in 3 or 4 years.  Parallelly, we are looking at one more indigenous case, in which we have teamed up with the Coast Guard for the base aircraft, the C-295. We want to induct 15 medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and the Coast Guard wants to induct 9 triple MA aircraft. Furthermore, we are considering inducting 6 more P-8Is, as the total requirement is 27. We have gaps in that sense... That case is also progressing,".

MH-60R 'Osprey' Squadron Commissioned

The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335, at INS Hansa, Goa, in the presence of Adm Dinesh K Tripathi. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that the squadron will add great value to combat readiness and improve the Navy's anti-submarine warfare competence.

"Today is a significant day for us and for the Navy that we have commissioned INAS 335 'Osprey', the first operational squadron. One squadron we commissioned in March 2024 in Cochin was the training squadron. This new squadron will add prodigious value to the combat readiness of our surface platforms at sea because it will improve anti-submarine warfare capability, anti-surface warfare capability, maritime domain awareness capability and will also be a deterrent to any platforms, particularly the surface and subsurface platforms of our adversary," the Navy Chief told ANI.

Details on the MH-60R Platform

He also praised the MH-60R helicopters and expressed enthusiasm about the new deal with the US to procure 24 extra helicopters. "MH-60R is a very potent platform. We are very content that we signed the contract for the induction of 24 MH-60R," he said.

The MH-60R is an all-weather, day-and-night-capable helicopter designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare, Search and Rescue, Medical Evacuation, and Vertical Replenishment. These helicopters will augment the Indian Navy's integral aviation competencies on the Western Seaboard.

Source: MSN