India-US Seal Rs 7,995 Cr Deal To Boost MH-60R Fleet Aid

• India signed a ₹7,995 crore deal with the US for a five-year follow-on support package for 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters
• The package includes spares, support equipment, technical support, training, and maintenance facilities in India
• MH-60R Seahawks are all-weather helicopters with advanced avionics and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, first delivered to India in 2021

The Indian Navy has completed a contract with the US for a follow-on support package for its fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The contract is worth approximately ₹7,995 crore and will run over five years.

Although the contract was signed at a time of heightened friction in bilateral relations due to US President Donald Trump imposing a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods in August, the Government of India still proceeded with signing the contract.

India-US defence deal includes MH-60R helicopter support for Indian Navy helicopters through a ₹7,995 crore agreement, strengthening naval aviation maintenance, defence partnership, fleet support contract, and overall military collaboration.

The support package will provide sustainment support for the Navy's Seahawk fleet and was executed pursuant to the US Foreign Military Sale program by the Government of India and the Government of the United States.

The package will encompass an integrated portfolio of support services such as spares provisioning, support equipment, technical and product support, training, repair, and replenishment of parts. Furthermore, there will be advanced repair facilities and periodic maintenance inspections established in India for the purposes of servicing these helicopters.

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The navy will receive the MH-60R strike fighter's advanced avionics and sensors. The helicopters have several roles and can accomplish anti-submarine warfare.

The defence ministry noted how much the follow-on support products will improve MH60R's operational availability, maintainability and mission readiness and also clearly demonstrate India's long-standing cbng w/USA for further enhancing their maritime power.

“In-country development of these facilities will ensure capability build-up in the long run and reduced dependence on the US government, thus aligning with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This would further lead to indigenous product and services development through MSMEs (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) and other Indian firms”, the ministry stated.

“In addition, the support would enable the operation of these helicopters from dispersed locations as well as ships, ensuring optimal performance during all their primary and secondary missions”, the ministry added.

Agreement with Lockheed Martin is signed in February 2020 for 24 of these aircraft, which were delivered beginning in 2021.