At least for a couple of years all were flying.
None of my friend or my contacts have spotted SH3s upon any naval ship in the eastern command yet( or maybe they have received some new paintjobs thus making them look similar to our Westland seakings ). .
Only 2 were flying at the last count (of those which came with the ship).
Maybe, maybe not. But about Indian alternative sensors, I heard about them way back from a reliable source , so they must have been fitted upon or maybe...
I hope it is a refit you are talking about .... because that takes substantial time than the 10 months you have given me ...
As for its purpose, well it will not see any active deployment, I can give a gurantee for that. And not 6, only 4 LHDs will be constructed initially.
Give a guarantee ... and I will encash it! It was heading out for Ex Jalprahar in April 15 when the sanction for extensive refit was received ... beyond that I wont say much .......
Also .... 4 it may be ... as you said ... initially ..... I gave you the figure ... Finally