With the acquisition of Alouette III helicopters (now HAL Chetak) in 1963, the establishment was considered suitable for a helipad.

Finally, on 3 April 1972 ‘Bombay flight’ of the Goa-based INAS 321 was established with one Alouette III helicopter, two pilots and 17 sailors.

INS Shikra has grown from a small helipad to a full-fledged Heliport providing support and maintenance facilities to the integral flights of the fleet and aviation requirements of the Western Naval Command.

The facilities continue to expand to cater for increasing numbers of helicopters being inducted on board ships.

Its primary role is to provide administrative, technical and logistic support for all squadrons and flights based in Mumbai.