Indian Navy To Commission MH-60R Seahawk Choppers Boosting Its Anti-Submarine, Anti-Surface Warfare Capabilities
In a significant development that will enhance its maritime prowess, the Indian Navy will be commissioning MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters from 6 March at INS Garuda, Kochi.
New Delhi: The Indian Navy will soon be inducting six MH-60R Seahawk, popularly known as ‘Romeo’, helicopters manufactured by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, that will significantly enhance its anti-submarines as well as anti-surface warfare capabilities, especially at a time when India is addressing rising tensions in the high seas even as the crisis in Red Sea deepens. The stealth, multirole choppers will be commissioned at INS Garuda, Kochi. These choppers will be commissioned in the Indian Navy as INAS 334 squadron.
The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is a maritime version of the Blackhawk chopper. The version that the Indian Navy will be using has undergone substantial customisation in order to make it suitable for the challenges faced in the region. The choppers will be commissioned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on March 6.
“The MH-60R helicopter would enhance India’s blue-water capabilities, extending the operational reach of the Navy and supporting sustained naval operations across spectrums and over vast maritime domains. The Seahawk’s deployment in the IOR would strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime presence, dissuading potential threats and ensuring a secure and safe environment in this strategically crucial region,” the Navy said in a statement.
It also said the commissioning of the Seahawks underscores Indian Navy’s decision “to fortify maritime security, aligning seamlessly with the Government of India’s visionary goal of ensuring Security And Growth for All in the Region.”
The Indian Navy is expected to see a significant surge in its maritime prowess with the induction of the Seahawks, according to the Navy. The helicopter is designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP).
The choppers are fitted with Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes.
The Navy also said that the helicopter has been rigorously tested in Indian climatic conditions and is fully integrated into the fleet. The advanced weapons, sensors and avionics suite make the Seahawks ideal for the Indian Navy’s maritime security needs, offering enhanced capabilities for both conventional as well as asymmetric threats.
India has procured 24 MH-60 R helicopters from the US under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route being a government-to-government deal for $2.6 billion. The sale was approved by the former Donald Trump government in 2019, followed by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security in 2020. The deliveries of the remaining units will be completed by 2025.
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