The Indian Navy has received another MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopter, with two more set to arrive soon, as part of the efforts to strengthen its anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.
Announcing the delivery, the US Embassy in India said the Lockheed Martin-developed helicopter arrived at Kochi last week.
"Another MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopter touched down on Indian shores! Developed by Lockheed Martin, this highly equipped helicopter was delivered to the Indian Navy at Kochi last week, with two more arriving this week. Thrilled to see the US-India defence partnership growing stronger," the embassy said in a post on X.
India had signed a deal with the US in February 2020 to procure 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The first three helicopters were delivered in 2021.
To support the fleet, the defence ministry on November 28 last year signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the US for five years of sustainment support and supply under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The agreement is valued at around Rs 7,995 crore.
The MH-60R Seahawk, the maritime variant of the Black Hawk helicopter, is designed to carry out multiple missions in all weather conditions using advanced sensors and avionics.
According to Lockheed Martin, the helicopter's biggest strength lies in its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities. It is equipped with a suite of advanced digital sensors, including a multi-mode radar, electronic support measures system, electro-optical/infrared camera, datalinks, aircraft survivability systems, dipping sonar and sonobuoys.
Its fully integrated mission system processes data from these sensors to build a comprehensive picture of both the sea surface and the underwater environment, enabling the crew to detect, track and engage enemy ships and submarines.
The helicopter is armed with torpedoes, air-to-ground missiles, rockets and crew-served guns, allowing it to strike both surface and underwater threats.
