The Indian Navy (IN) has received two Sikorsky MH-60R (Romeo) Seahawk helicopters, the first of 24 on order. The helicopters were transported on a USAF C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and arrived at the Naval Air Enclave, Cochin International Airport in southern India, The Times of India reported on July 28. Deliveries of all 24 helicopters are expected to be completed by 2025, according to an Indian military source.
India purchased MH-60R helicopters through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The third plane is scheduled to arrive at the end of August. The FMS contract was signed on February 25, 2020, a few weeks before US President Donald Trump"s inaugural visit to India at the time.
The Indian MH-60R is equipped with Lockheed Martin"s Common Cockpit avionics, as used on the entire US Navy MH-60R and MH-60S fleet.
The helicopter is equipped with a multi-mode radar for ISAR function, Multi-Spectral Targeting system, comprehensive electronic warfare, self-protection suite, Advanced Low-Frequency Dunking Sonar, GPS sonobuoy, secure voice communication, SATCOM and datalink system.
Meanwhile, the weapons systems for India"s MH-60R will be acquired through a separate contract. India plans to acquireMk 54 torpedoes, Hellfire missiles, and Advance Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets.
