Indian Navy bids farewell to UH-3H Sea King
On 28 June 2024, the Bharatiya Nau Sena (BNS, Indian Navy) officially bid farewell to the Sikorsky UH-3H Sea King utility transport helicopter operated by Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 350 Saaras at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam.
The de-induction ceremony at INS Dega was presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command. Veteran officers and sailors of INAS 350, along with their families, attended the event, reminiscing about the helicopter's distinguished service. One UH-3H will be permanently displayed at a prominent location in Visakhapatnam.
INAS350 will replace the UH-3H with the Sea King Mk42C to continue delivering operational power and capability. This version is currently operated by the Marine Commando Flight (MCF) at INS Shikra in Mumbai. Scramble Magazine assesses that all Sea King Mk42Cs have been transferred to INS Dega and will fill the role with INAS350.
The UH-3H Sea King helicopters were brought to India in 2007 along with INS Jalashwa (formerly USS Trenton). The UH-3Hs were inducted into INAS 350 on March 24, 2009, at INS Dega.
Scramble Magazine first reported on acquiring the UH-3H in August 2006. At that time, the Indian Navy leadership was close to signing a contract for the supply of six ex-US Navy UH-3H Sea King helicopters. The helicopters were to be purchased through the US FMS (Foreign Military Sales) programme, which also included acquiring the Dock Landing Platform (LPD) USS Trenton. The helicopters and the landing platform were to be delivered in mid-2007.
In March 2007, Helispec from Brantley, Alabama, was awarded a contract for the refurbishing and upgrade of the first two UH-3H helicopters. The contract was a six-month effort, and once completed, the helicopters were to be ferried to Norfolk, Virginia, where they were shipped on the former Dock Landing Platform USS Trenton, which was also sold to India.
The UH-3H helicopters were first sighted on board INS Jalashwa in February 2011 when the Indian Navy dispatched a troop carrier and a destroyer to Malta harbor for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Libya.
Credit photo: Indian Navy