Indian Naval Air Arm
Founded	1948 (1948)[1]
Country	India
Type	Naval aviation
Role	Sea-to air-combat,surface attack,anti-submarine warfare,Search and rescue,aerial reconnaissance,weather observation, and material transportation.
Size	23 squadrons 5,000 personnel[2] Approx.300 aircraft[3]
Part of	Indian Navy
Commanders
Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA)	Rear admiralAjay D. Theophilus
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Mikoyan MiG-29K,
Helicopter	HAL Dhruv,Kamov Ka-27,SH-3 Sea King,Westland Sea King,HAL Chetak,MH-60R Seahawk
Interceptor	Mikoyan MiG-29K
Patrol	Boeing P-8I,Dornier 228,Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander
Trainer	BAE Hawk,HAL Kiran

TheIndian Naval Air Arm is theaviation branch and a fighting arm of theIndian Navy which is tasked to provide anaircraft carrier-based strike capability,fleet air defence,maritime reconnaissance, andanti-submarine warfare.

The Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) appears to direct the field operations of the air arm.^[4]

The first naval air station,INSGaruda, was inaugurated in Cochin on 11 May 1953.^[5] This went hand-in-hand with the commissioning of theNo.550 Squadron,^[6] utilisingShort Sealand aircraft^[7] andFairey Firefly aircraft^[8]

1960 saw the commissioning ofNo.300 White Tigers Squadron,^[9] consisting ofSea Hawks.^[10]

In the very next year (1961),INS Vikrant (formerly HMSHercules) was acquired by theIndian Navy.^[11]Vikrant's initial airwing consisted of BritishHawker Sea Hawk fighter-bombers and a FrenchAlize anti-submarine aircraft. On 18 May 1961, the first jet landed on board, piloted byLieutenant (laterAdmiral)Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani. That year, theNo.310 Cobras Squadron (consisting of Alize aircraft^[10][12]) was commissioned. After playing an important role in several major Indian military actions, specifically theLiberation of Goa and theIndia-Pakistani war of 1971, she was decommissioned in January 1997^[13] andscrapped.^[14]

In 1976, theIndian Air Force handed overSuper Constellation^[15] aircraft to the No.312 Albatross Squadron^[16] inDabolim, Goa. Being fairly old aircraft at that point, these were withdrawn from active service by 1983. To replace them in the maritime patrol role, Soviet aircraft were acquired. TheNo. 315 Winged Stallions Squadron was commissioned in 1977 with theIlyushin Il-38 aircraft.^[17]

In December 1961, INSVikrant participated inOperation Vijay, the liberation ofGoa fromPortugal. Its role was primarily to deter foreign naval intervention during the 40-hour-long military action.^[18]

INSVikrant played a major role in the successful naval blockade ofEast Pakistan.^[19] Stationed off theAndaman & Nicobar Islands escorted by theLeopard-class frigateINS Brahmaputra, as well asINS Beas,Vikrant redeployed towardsChittagong at the outbreak of hostilities.^[20] The morning of 4 December 1971, the eight Sea Hawk aircraft onVikrant launched an air raid onCox's Bazar from 60nautical miles (110 km; 69 mi) away. That evening, the air group struck Chittagong harbour. Other strikes targeted Khulna and Mongla. A PTI message is supposed to have read, "Chittagong harbour ablaze as ships and aircraft of the (Pakistan) Eastern Naval Fleet bombed and rocketed. Not a single vessel can be put to sea from Chittagong". Air strikes staged fromVikrant continued till 10 December 1971.

Given naval intelligence that indicated the intent of thePakistan Navy to break through the Indian Naval blockade using camouflaged merchant ships,Vikrant's Sea Hawks struck shipping in the Chittagong and Cox's Bazar harbours, sinking or incapacitating most merchant ships there.

TheHughes 269 helicopter was previously in service for training.^[21]

TheBAE Sea Harrier inducted in the 1980s operated fromINS Viraat.^[22] Until 6 March 2016,^[23][24][25] the BAE Sea Harrier FRS Mk.51 / T Mk.60 flew with theINAS 300 andINAS 552 squadrons of the Indian Navy. The Sea Harriers are armed with the Matra Magic-II AAM and the Sea Eagle Anti-ship missiles. The aircraft were upgraded with theEltaEL/M-2032 radar and theRafael Derby BVRAAM missiles.^[26]

Year 1988 saw the induction ofTupolev 142M into service. The aircraft started operations from Dabolim in Goa and later shifted its operations to INS Rajali in 1992. Tu-142M was primarily used in the long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare role. The aircraft served the navy till 2018 and participated in the Indian Peace Keeping Mission in Sri Lanka. Also participated in Operation Cactus in Maldives, in which the fleeing mercenaries were detected and tracked until apprehended by ships.^[27]

On 11 May 2013, first squadron of MiG-29K was commissioned.^[28] These aircraft were commissioned as a replacement of the ageing Sea Harrier.^[29] after 46 years of service theIl-38 patrol aircraft was retired from the force on 31 October 2023. MoreP-8I aircraft are planned to replace them.^[30]

TheNaval Aviation Museum located in Bogmalo, 6 km (3.7 mi) fromVasco da Gama, Goa, India showcases the history of the Naval Air Arm.

As reported by MiG Bureau, the Indian Navy's association with the MiG-29K began in Apr 2002 when a team led by Commander Gupta reached Moscow to evaluate the MiG-29K prototype for possible induction into the Indian Navy.^[31][32] The Team evaluated the aircraft on ground as well as in the air (the flight evaluation was conducted by a Navy Test Pilot Commander Ahuja). Some other aircraft were also evaluated but the MiG-29K was chosen. On 20 January 2004, the Indian Navy signed a contract for 12 single-seat MiG-29K and 4 two-seat MiG-29KUB. The first MIG-29K for the Indian Navy took flight on 22 January 2007. The MIG-29 KUB (two-seat trainer) is similar to the MIG-29K but with reduced operational range. The aircraft will be fielded on the aircraft carrierINS Vikramaditya.^[33]

The first squadron,INAS 303, the "Black Panthers",^[34] was commissioned on 11 May 2013.^[28] On 11 July 2016, second squadron,INAS 300, was commissioned.^[29] The delivery of the aircraft to the Indian Navy started in 2009.

The fighter plane is different from the MiG-29 flown byIndian Air Force. The aircraft has been modified for aircraft carrier operation by hardening the undercarriage. It also has much better 'over-the-nose' vision to make it easy to land aboard a carrier at a highangle of attack. Modifications made for Indian Navy requirement featured Zhuk-ME radar, RD-33MK engine, combat payload up to 5,500 kg (12,100 lb), 13hardpoints (inclusive of the multi-lock bomb carriers), additional fuel tanks situated in dorsal spine fairing and wingLERXs, increased total fuel capacity by 50% comparing to first variant of MiG-29 and an updated 4-channel digital fly-by-wire flight control system. With special coatings, the MiG-29Kradar reflecting surface is 4–5 times smaller than of basic MiG-29. Cockpit displays consist of wideHUDs, 3 colour LCDMFDs (7 on the MiG-29KUB), a French Sigma-95 satellite GPS module andTopsight E helmet-mounted targeting system compatible with the full range of weapons carried by the MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT.^[35]

New Delhi and Boeing signed a $2.1 billion contract in January 2009 to deliver eight P-8Is for anti-submarine operations, to replace the ageing fleet of Russian-manufacturedTupolev Tu142M planes. The P-8I varies from the P-8A, wherein it has aMagnetic anomaly detector (MAD) and an aft-mounted radar that provides it with 360-degree aerial radar surveillance capability.^[36] It features communication and other devices on-board that have been indigenously developed byBharat Electronics Limited (BEL).^[37] The first squadron,INAS 312, was formed with eight aircraft in November 2015.^[36] A follow-on order worth over $1 billion for the purchase of four additional P-8Is was signed in July 2016.^[38] The Indian Navy decommissioned the Tupolev Tu-142M aircraft in March 2017.^[39] With Boeing delivering the 12th and the final P-8I in February 2022,^[40] the second squadron,INAS 316, with four aircraft was formed in March 2022.^[41]

Indian Navy operates 27^[42]Dornier 228 and in process to induct 8 more state-of-the-art Dornier foranti-submarine warfare andmaritime patrol fromHindustan Aeronautics Limited. These aircraft are equipped with advanced sensors, glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, ELINT, optical sensors and networking features. Currently 4 of Dornier 228 NG aircraft in service inINAS 314.^[43]

HAL Dhruv; developed byHindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Navy received its first Dhruvs on 28 March 2002.^[44][45] It is expected to receive a total of 120 units to replace the Chetak helicopters in service. The naval variant is fitted with the Super Vision-2000 maritime radar, capable of detecting targets with low radar cross-section at a range of 200 km (120 mi). The anti-submarine version of the helicopter is fitted with dunking sonar, torpedoes, depth charges. The helicopter may also be fitted with the missiles for anti-ship roles. However, in 2008, the Indian Navy pronounced Dhruv unsuitable for its role as an ASW platform. Indian Navy will continue to procure Dhruv as a multi-role utility platform. During the commissioning ceremony Vice Admiral Sinha said that "In the Navy, Dhruv helicopters have transformed into an advanced search and rescue (SAR) helicopter also used for missions like heliborne operations, and armed patrol with night vision devices. Such machines in the inventory have become imperative for the Navy given the scenario of low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and coastal security construct."^[46] In 2013 Indian Navy showed keen interest in the armed version of theHAL Rudra. Impressed with the Dhruv's sensors which were able to track ships and also read their names at ranges of 12 to 14 km (7.5 to 8.7 mi). The Navy may induct 20 more helicopters into service.^[47] A new squadron INAS 323 Harriers was commissioned with HAL Dhruv MKIII variant. Navy placed order for 16 MKIII helicopters and 6 of them are delivered with the remaining 10 to be delivered by Dec 2021. Naval variant of MKIII comes with 19 specific systems suited for maritime role.^[48]

Kamov Ka-25,Kamov Ka-28, and theKamov Ka-31: The Ka-25 was acquired by the Indian Navy in 1980 foranti-submarine warfare, but had severe technological limitations. The Ka-28s were acquired in the mid-80s and were said to be a quantum leap over their predecessors from an ASW standpoint. The Ka-31^[49] takes the Kamov capabilities even further by enabling real-time network-centric warfare for the Indian Navy.

Westland Sea King and theSikorsky SH-3 Sea King: Used principally foranti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search & rescue roles,^[50] the helicopter fleet operate fromINS Garuda (Kochi) as well asINS Shikra air stations. US sanctions on India in response to India'snuclear tests resulted in a large part of the Sea King fleet being grounded for want of spare parts. Seventeen of the Sea King helicopters will be upgraded. The upgrade will feature day and night capability, the capability to work in adverse weather conditions, integration of two anti-ship missiles with a range of fifty kilometers and a new radar.^[51]

Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III: Also known as the Chetak, these choppers have seen active service in the Navy as well as the Coast Guard. They are carried on several combatants as well as non-combatant ships. They are also operated from and maintained at theINS Shikra andINS UtkroshNaval Air Stations in Mumbai and Port Blair respectively.

Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk: The Indian Government signed a $2.4 billion contract in February 2020 for 24 MH-60R helicopters to replace its fleet ofSea King helicopters.^[52] The Seahawks will be Indian Navy's primary helicopter for a host of roles includinganti-submarine warfare (ASW),anti-surface warfare (ASuW) andairborne early warning and control (AEW&C). The communication equipment like satellite communication andIdentification, friend or foe (IFF) equipment for helicopters in this order have been indigenously developed.^[53][54] Deliveries commenced in July 2021 when the first 2 helicopters were handed to the Indian Navy.^[52] The helicopter was integrated withINS Vikrant in May 2023 with its maiden landing on the aircraft carrier.^[55] The first squadron,INAS 334, was formed with six helicopters in March 2024, at Kochi. All remaining helicopters to be delivered by 2025.^[53]

TheIndian Navy operates at least two squadrons ofHeron andSearcher Mk-II UAVs, based inKochi (INAS 342) andPorbandar (INAS 343).^[56][57] There are plans to have at least two more squadrons of UAVs.^[58] UAVs are controlled from ships to increases the range of surveillance. There are plans to introduce rotary UAVs into the Indian Navy.^[59] These UAVs will have higher endurance and load carrying capability resulting in better reconnaissance capabilities.^[60] Indian Navy operates 2 leasedMQ-9 Reaper for maritime surveillance in the Indian Ocean region.^[61]

• Fighter: As of 2024,INAS 551 is a pure shore-based fighter training squadron atINS Dega. Fighter pilots initially join this squadron for Naval Orientation Flying before being selected for undergoing conversion training forMikoyan MiG-29Ks atINAS 300. Later the pilots are qualified for operational service with MiG-29Ks withINAS 303.^[62]
• Fixed-wing:INAS 550 provides Dornier Operational Flying Training to fixed wing pilots atINS Garuda. The pilots are then further posted to operational squadrons equipped with Short Range Maritime Reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraftDornier 228 (INAS 310,311,313,314,318) or Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraftBoeing P-8I Neptune (INAS 312,316).^[62] The squadron shall also impart training to pilots of Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraftEADS CASA C-295 planned to be inducted in future.^[63][64]
• Helicopter:INAS 561 acts as the Helicopter Training School (HTS) for trainingrotary-wing aircraft pilots and is based atINS Rajali. The pilots are trained for different roles like fleet support,MEDEVAC as well asSearch and Rescue. They are also trained for operating from various types of platforms like shore bases, ships and evenoil rigs. The pilots after graduation are posted to squadrons operating single engine helicopters likeHAL Chetak (INAS 321). Later, pilots with adequate experience on HAL Chetaks are allotted to twin-engine helicopter squadrons. These includeSea King (INAS 330,336,339 and350),Kamov Ka-31 (INAS 339),Kamov Ka-28 (INAS 333) andHAL Dhruv (INAS 322,323 and324).^[62]

DuringAero India 2025, theChief of Naval StaffAdmiralDinesh K Tripathi and Minister of State for DefenceSanjay Seth released a vision document for naval aviation named Atmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation Technology Roadmap, 2047. The roadmap focused on being equipping the Naval Air Arm with a 400 aircraft strong fleet capable ofnetwork-cetric operations and indigenising the entire fleet by 2047. As per the document, the Navy will induct multiple aircraft types over the next two decades which include:^[74][75][76]

• fifth generationtwin engine deck-based fighter multirole aircraft (replacing the current fighter fleet)
• Long Range, Medium Range and Short RangeMaritime Reconnaissance Aircraft
• Aircraft Carrier-BorneAirborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft
• Amphibious aircraft
• Air-to-Air Refueller Aircraft (manned or uncrewed)
• Multirole and heavy lift helicopters
• different types ofremotely piloted aircraft and unmanned aerial systems.

This section is an excerpt fromFuture of the Indian Navy § Aircraft.[edit]

Type	Picture	Role	No. of airframes	Origin	Status	Note
Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF)		Carrier-basedmultirole fighter	N/A	India	Design Phase	The first flight of the TEDBF is targeted for 2032-33 with the fighter expected to be inducted into the Navy by 2038.
Dassault Rafale			26	France	On order	The acquisition is a part of the Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters programme to acquire 57 fighter jets forCarrier Air Wing ofINSVikrant. The quantity was later reduced to 26 jets.[77]Rafale-M was chosen over theBoeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2023.[78] The deal was signed in April 2025.[79]
Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS)		UnmannedRotorcraft/ShipborneUAV	40		Planned	Proposal to buy 10 NSUAS for around ₹ 1,300 crores cleared by the government in 2021.[80]RFI to purchase total of 40 units released in 2023.[81][82]
Multi Utility Long Endurance Drone (MULE)					Under development	Contract signed with Altair Infrasec for MULE RPA which will be a NSUAS class UAV.[83][84] Primary Roles:C4,ISTAR,SIGNIT,COMINT andMaritime Domain Awareness (MDA) operations for a Task Force.Secondary Roles:Anti-piracy,Anti-terrorist activities and assistance inSearch and Rescue (SAR).Payloads:EO/IR, AIS, Maritime Patrol Radar,EW and communication relay with a capacity of >50 kg (110 lb).Endurance: >12 hours.
IAI-HAL NRUAV				IndiaIsrael	Planned	[85]
MQ-9B SeaGuardian		Unmanned combat aerial vehicle	2 in service (on lease) 15 more on order.[86]	United States	On order	The final deal was signed on 15 October 2024.[86]
NewSpace Abhimanyu		Loyal Wingman/Unmanned combat aerial vehicle		India	Under Development	Contract signed for development and procurement of specified number of systems.[87]
NewSpace Arka		High altitude pseudo-satellite		India	Under Development	Contract signed for design & development of indigenous High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) for Indian Navy.[88]
Dornier 228		Anti-submarine warfare,Maritime patrol	12	Germany  India	29 in service 6 on order	These aircraft will be equipped with advanced sensors, glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, ELINT, optical sensors and networking features.[89]
Boeing P-8I Neptune		Reconnaissance,ASW,ASuW	12 in service 6 more planned	United States	More planned	[90][91]
EADS C-295		Anti-submarine warfare/Maritime patrol	9	European Union  India	Planned	Medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft: They will be equipped with advanced sensors, glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar,ELINT, optical sensors and networking features.[92]Ministry of Defence has given clearance for procurement on 16 February 2024.[93][94]
ShinMaywa US-2		STOLAmphibious Aircraft	12	Japan	Planned	2018 Amphibious Aircraft Procurement As of April 2018, the Navy intends to acquire 12 US-2 amphibian aircraft for conducting long-range search-and-rescue operations at cost of $1.65 billion. Two US-2 will be directly imported and remaining 10 will be assembled locally in India.[95] In April 2018,Mahindra Defence signed anMoU withShinMaywa Industries Ltd. to manufacture and assemble the aircraft, and set up MRO facility in India.[96][97]
Sikorsky MH-60R Romeo		Multi-Role Helicopter	24	United States	19 delivered[98] 5 on order[98]	The helicopters will replace the ageing Sea King helicopters. They are equipped withMark 54 torpedoes andHellfire air-to-surface missiles, along with precision-kill rockets. India signed a₹15,157crore (equivalent to₹180 billion or US$2.1 billion in 2023) contract for the MH-60Rs in February 2020.[99]
Naval Multi-Role Helicopter		Multi-Role Helicopter	60	India	Under development	Deck Based Multi Role Helicopter being developed to replace Sea King and augment MH-60R.[100]
Naval Multi-Role Helicopter		Multi-Role Helicopter	123	India	Planned	Requirement issued to HAL[101]
Naval Utility Helicopter		Utility helicopter	51	India	Planned	To replaceHAL Chetak with 5 tonne twin-engine helicopters.[101] Initially, 111 helicopters were envisioned.[102] HAL is developing 5.8-tonneUtility Helicopter-Marine. Procurement from US, France being considered as per reports.[103] In Aug '25, the MoD released anRFI to procure 76 Naval Utility Helicopters meant for the Navy (51) and theCoast Guard (25). These will be assigned for roles likemaritime SAR,CASEVAC, communication duties, andlow-intensity maritime operations.[104][105]
Boeing V-22 Osprey		Tiltrotormilitary transport aircraft	N/A	United States	Planned	V-22'sairborne early warning and control variant may replace the short-rangeKamov Ka-31.[106][107]

Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) controls training, maintenance and other functions of naval aviation. Aircraft yards atKochi,Kerala andDabolim,Goa are responsible for maintaining the fleet's air arm. An exclusive base,INS Shikra for helicopters was commissioned inMumbai.^[108]

To protect and preserve India's growing trade with Southeast Asia and offer a defence against increasing Chinese naval presence in the Bay of Bengal, a new naval base is being built nearVisakhapatnam.^[109] It is expected to be capable of harbouring two aircraft carriers, including the planned newVikrant-class aircraft carrier. There are two more naval air stations,INS Rajali andINS Parundu inTamil Nadu.

Southern Command has at least one airfield,INS Garuda, inKochi,Kerala.^[110]TheHindu reported on 2 February 2009 that a new airbase will be set up inMuscat,Oman to tackle piracy in theGulf of Aden.^[111] Three years later in 2012 it is not clear whether any action has been taken on this proposal.The southernmost naval air station,INS Baaz was formally opened on 31 July 2012 by theChief of the Indian Navy atCambell Bay inAndaman and Nicobar Islands. With the commissioning of this station, the country acquired increased capability to keep vigil on the vital maritime channel of theStraits of Malacca.^[112]

Four naval aviators have risen to become theChief of the Naval Staff (CNS) -AdmiralsR. H. Tahiliani,Arun Prakash,Sureesh Mehta andKarambir Singh.

• AdmiralRadhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani - the first naval aviator to serve asChief of the Naval Staff.
• Vice AdmiralMihir K. Roy - the firstobserver of the Indian Navy and the first aviator to command the aircraft carrierINS Vikrant (1961).
• AdmiralArun Prakash - the firstCommander-in-Chief of theAndaman and Nicobar Command and the second aviator to rise to be CNS.
• Vice AdmiralShekhar Sinha - the first naval aviator to serve asChief of Integrated Defence Staff.
• AdmiralKarambir Singh - the first helicopter aviator to becomeChief of the Naval Staff (India)

Indian navy related lists

• List of active aircraft of the Indian Naval Air Arm
• List of Indian Navy bases
• List of active Indian Navy ships
• List of ships of the Indian Navy
• List of submarines of the Indian Navy

Other Indian navy related

• Naval ranks and insignia of India
• Indian maritime history
• Future of the Indian Navy
• Indian Coast Guard
• Middle Ground Coastal Battery
• Naval Aviation Museum (Goa)
• Naval Aircraft Museum (Kolkata)

Indian military related

• Army Aviation Corps (India)
• India-China Border Roads
• Indian military satellites
• List of active Indian military aircraft
• List of Indian Air Force stations
• India's overseas military bases
• Indian Nuclear Command Authority

Wikimedia Commons has media related toAircraft of the Indian Navy.

• Indian Navy Pilot training facility at US NAS Kingsville, Texas, USA
• Naval Air Arm
• Indian Naval Aviation – Part 1 @ ACIG.org
• Indian Naval Aviation – Part 2 @ ACIG.org
• Naval Tejas, lca-tejas.org
• Documentary on YouTube on the INS Vikrant
• Video of IL-38 of IN firing anti-ship missile
• YouTube video by user vishv with some good photographs
• INS Vikrant docked in Mumbai
• Image of Kamov helicopter
• [3]Archived 11 December 2022 at theWayback Machine

• Indian Navy
• Indian naval aviation
• Naval aviation services
• Aviation in India
• Units of the Indian Peace Keeping Force

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