INAS325 Eagle Owl

On 31 May 2022, the Indian Naval Air Arm established a new helicopter squadron at INS Utkrosh. The naval air station is located on the airport of Port Blair, Andaman Islands.

The new squadron, Indian Naval Air Squadron 325 (INAS325) is nicknamed Eagle Owl and derives its name from this nocturnal bird of prey. The Eagle Owl has been chosen because "The keen sense of observation & tracking of the eagle exemplifies the sensors and advanced avionics of the helicopter akin the nocturnal prowess of the owl, personify the night vision capabilities."

Officially, the squadron is the second new unit that will operate the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Mk.III helicopter. Most probably, the squadron will receive three Dhruv Mk.IIIs to be used for Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance. Earlier, on 19 April 2021, INAS323 Harriers was established at INS Hansa.

Next to the above two new squadrons, deliveries of the Mk.III version of the ALH were made to INAS321 at INS Shikra (Mumbai), INAS321(P) at INS Parundu, INAS322 at INS Garuda (Cochin/Kochi) and INAS322 Dega Flight at INS Dega (Vishakhapatnam). These squadrons already operated the SA316B Chetak respectively the Dhruv Mk.I helicopter.

Scramble Magazine would like to know the serials of the two delivered helicopters to INAS325. If you have information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photo by Indian Navy