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Context: Recently, India and the United States signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) for a five-year sustainment support package for the Indian Navy’s MH-60R helicopter fleet, valued at approximately ₹7,995 crore.
More on the News
- The Indian Navy has procured 24 of these helicopters under foreign military sales from the US government while 15 choppers have been inducted so far. The deal was signed in 2020.
- This is the first military foreign military sales deal since India-US relations soured in August, when the US imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods entering its market, including a 25% punitive tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
Key Features of the MH 60R Helicopter
- Sensors and Mission Systems:
- It features advanced digital sensors such as multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, electro-optical/infrared cameras, dipping sonar, and sonobuoys, enabling full maritime domain awareness.
- An integrated mission system processes the data to deliver a unified view of surface and subsurface threats. Networked systems with high-speed datalinks further improve coordination among naval assets.
- Cockpit and Avionics: A fully digital glass cockpit includes multi-function displays optimized for night-vision goggles and features ruggedized computers, GPS/inertial navigation, and programmable controls for pilots and crew.
- Weapons Suite: Armament comprises Mk 50 or Mk 46 torpedoes for anti-submarine roles, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and rockets for anti-surface warfare, plus a 7.62 mm machine gun for self-defense.
- Performance and Propulsion: Two turboshaft engines power the helicopter to a maximum speed of 267 km/h and a range of 830-834 km, with a service ceiling around 3,700 m.
- Survivability Features: Design elements include ballistic-tolerant rotor blades and upper controls, self-sealing fuel tanks, energy-absorbing landing gear, and triple-redundant hydraulics and electrical systems for enhanced crashworthiness and reliability.
Strategic & Operational Implications
- Enhanced Operational Readiness: The sustainment package provides spares, equipment, technical support, training, and maintenance facilities, ensuring high operational availability of the MH-60R fleet for all-weather, multi-role missions.
- Flexibility & Deployment: By enabling operations from land bases, ships, and dispersed locations, the deal enhances India’s ability to project maritime power across multiple theatres, along with optimal performance during all their primary and secondary missions/roles.
- Move towards Self-Reliance: The pact promotes in-country maintenance and supply facilities, allowing Indian MSMEs to participate in spares production and support services, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat goal.
- Sustaining High-End Capability: The MH-60R Seahawk is a modern, all-weather helicopter with strong ASW capability. Sustaining its availability highlights India’s focus on high-end maritime deterrence.
Sources:
Reutes
PIB
Indian Express