Bot at 09:35, 8 August 2021

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= INAS 323
|image=
|image_size=
|caption=
|dates= 19 April 2021 - Present
|country= {{flag|India}}
|allegiance=
|branch= {{nowrap|[[File:Naval Ensign of India.svg|25px|Indian Navy seal]] [[Indian Navy]]}}
|type=
|role=
|size=
|command_structure=
|current_commander= Cdr Samik Nundy
|garrison=[[INS Hansa]], [[Goa]]
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname= Harriers
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|aircraft_helicopter_multirole = [[HAL Dhruv|Dhruv Mk.3 MR]]
}}

The '''INAS 323''' is an [[Indian Navy|Indian naval]] air squadron based at [[INS Hansa]], [[Goa]]. It operates the multi-role helicopter [[HAL Dhruv]] in maritime configuration. The primary role of the squadron is [[Search and rescue|Search and Rescue]], [[Special operations|Special Operations]] and Coastal [[Surveillance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/inas-323-commissioned-goa-first-unit-indigenously-built-alh-mk-iii-enters-naval-service|title=INAS 323 Commissioned at goa as first unit of indigenously built ALH MK III Enters Naval Service|publisher=Indian Navy|date=2021-04-19}}</ref>

== History ==
Indian Navy commissioned its newest aircraft squadron in the presence of [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Raksha Rajya Mantri]] [[Shripad Naik]] and [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] [[R. Hari Kumar]] on 19 April, 2021. The squadron is equipped with state of art ingenuously built [[HAL Dhruv]] designed and built by [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]]. The aircraft in use has been heavily modified for naval use and incorporates 19 major changes to suit the Navy's need.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/hal-to-provide-32-alh-dhruv-choppers-to-navy-coast-guard-1991444.html|title=HAL to provide 32 ALH-Dhruv choppers to Navy, Coast Guard|publisher=Zee News|date=2017-03-30}}</ref>

[[Indian Navy]] ordered 16 helicopters for search and rescue operations in 2017. These features advance instrumentation overs its older brethren Mk.1 variant already in-service with the Indian Navy. The newer aircraft features full digital glass cockpit, powerful [[Safran Ardiden|Shakti engine]] and hosts of other sensors and equipment. Six of the 16 ordered will feature low frequency dunking [[sonar]] from [[Bharat Electronics]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://verticalmag.com/news/indian-navy-coast-guard-alh-dhruv-mk-iii/|title=The Indian Navy and Coast Guard’s ALH ‘Dhruv’ Mk-III helicopters|publisher=Vertical Magazine|date=2020-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-exhibitions/2014-archive-naval-exhibitons/defexpo-2014-naval-show-daily-news/1547-indias-drdo-showcases-low-frequency-dunking-sonar-for-asw-helicopters.html|title= India's DRDO showcases Low Frequency Dunking Sonar for ASW helicopters |publisher=Navy Recognition|date=2014-02-06}}</ref>

One of the helicopter from INAS 323 was equipped with Medical [[Intensive care unit|Intensive Care Unit]] (MICU) by [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/alh-mk-iii-aircraft-indian-navy-fitted-medical-icu|title=ALH MK III Aircraft of Indian Navy Fitted with Medical ICU|publisher=Indian Navy|date=2021-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/navys-alh-mk-iii-aircraft-fitted-with-medical-icu-for-critical-patients-evacuation20210530174741/|title=Navy's ALH MK III aircraft fitted with medical ICU for critical patients' evacuation|publisher=ANI|date=2021-05-30}}</ref>

== Operations ==

Initially, the squadron was commissioned with 3 helicopters. The first CO is Cdr Samik Nundy. An ace Dhruv pilot, with an extensive experience in operating the chopper..<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1712715|title= INAS 323 commissioned at Goa as first unit of indigenously built ALH MK III enters Naval Service|publisher=PIB|date=2021-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/apr/19/indian-navys-first-unit-of-indigenously-built-advanced-light-helicopters-enters-service-2292059.html|title=Indian Navy’s first unit of indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopters enters service|publisher=New Indian Express|date=2021-04-19}}</ref>

== Gallery ==

{{Gallery
|title=
|width=160 | height=170
|File:HAL Dhruv MR during the commissioning of INAS 323 at INS Hansa, Goa.jpg
|[[HAL Dhruv]]-MR during the commissioning of INAS 323 at [[INS Hansa]], [[Goa]].
|File:Commissioning of INAS 323 at INS Hansa, Goa.jpg
|Commissioning of INAS 323 at INS Hansa, Goa.
|File:A Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) installed onboard ALH Mk III from INAS 323 at INS Hansa.jpg
|A [[Intensive care unit|Medical Intensive Care Unit]] (MICU) installed onboard ALH Mk III from INAS 323 at [[INS Hansa]].
}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Indian Navy}}
[[Category:Aircraft squadrons of the Indian Navy]]
[[Category:Naval units and formations of India]]

INAS 323 - Revision history

Bot at 09:35, 8 August 2021