India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the 2.6 billion dollar import of 24 Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R multirole naval helicopters. The approval will also include equipment, spares and services for the Indian Navy (IN). The deal is aimed at overcoming the enduring shortage of multirole naval helicopters on IN frontline warships.
The approval which has been long-pending comes as US President Donald Trump’s is expected to commence a two-day India visit scheduled to begin on 24 February. In April 2019 the US State Department approved New Delhi’s request to acquire the 24 MH-60R helicopters, as well as one MH-60B/R Excess Defense Article (EDA) helicopter from the US Navy that will likely be used for training.
The MH-60Rs will be fitted with twin weapon stations, each of which would mount two anti-ship missiles and an equal number of lightweight torpedoes in an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role. The platforms will also be armed with depth charges.
The MH-60Rs, which are quite multi-purpose can also be used for communications relay, surveillance, logistics support as well as serve as personnel transport and vertical replenishment.
