Navy to upgrade Sea-king and Kamov, also seeking successor

A senior Indian Navy officer today said the force was planning to upgrade its Sea-king and Kamov helicopters, currently attached to INS Hansa base in Goa, and was also looking for a successor to them.

"We will soon augment helicopter force with the upgrade of Sea-king and Kamov helicopters," Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area, told reporters here.

At the same time, he said, the navy was scouting for a worthy successor to the Seak-king and Kamov fleet.

"Sea-king is anti-submarine warfare helicopter while Kamov is used for airborne early warnings," he said.

Some more K-31 or Kamov Airborne early warning helicopters were expected to come shortly from Russia, he said. Pillai said although there was need for upgradation, the navy continues to operate the TU-142s and IL-38s, both maritime surveillance aircrafts, for reconnaissance.

"For medium-range surveillance, we have the versatile medium-range recce aircraft Dornier-228s."

"We have completed our portfolio of surveillance assets with induction of unmanned aerial vehicles Heron and Searchers which can be controlled from ships," Pillai stated.