Deadly ‘Romeos’ helicopters coming to India! Indian Navy to get first MH-60Rs

In keeping with officers, the Indian Navy goes to obtain the fourth -generation MH-60Rs `Romeos’ helicopters. (Picture Credit score: Lockheed Martin)

The primary three out 24 MH-60R Seahawks are anticipated to be delivered subsequent month. Sources have confirmed to Monetary Specific On-line that “Dates are within the technique of being confirmed for delivering the helicopters to the Indian Mission within the US. After which they are going to be despatched to India.”

The pilots and floor crew from the Indian Navy are already within the US present process coaching. They’ll return with the brand new MH-60Rs.

For the stability of the helicopters, the supply shall be as per the timeline acknowledged within the contract inked between the governments of India and US. The 24 helicopters are coming by means of the International Navy Gross sales (FMS) route and are for roughly USD 2.6 billion. These helicopters are going to assist the Indian Navy play a essential function within the Indian Ocean Area (IOR).

What’s Indian Navy going to get?

In keeping with the contract, the bundle consists of spare elements, air-to-ground weapons assist and coaching of pilots and floor crew. The coaching is already occurring as reported earlier.

As a result of world shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the method of coaching had been delayed. And as soon as the world began opening steadily, the staff left for the US to be skilled.

When was the deal permitted?

In 2020, the deal acquired the stamp of approval by the Cupboard Committee on Safety (CCS) final 12 months in February earlier than the previous US President Donald Trump’s arrival in New Delhi.

Who spearheaded the talks for MH-60R?

The talks for these helicopters was spearheaded by Dr Vivek Lall, who was then the Vice President of Technique and Enterprise Growth at Lockheed Martin. He has been credited to have performed a really important function within the navy commerce between US and India.

In an earlier interplay with Monetary Specific On-line, Dr Lall had mentioned about these helicopters that, “These helicopters will present an important functionality for the Indian Navy within the Indo-Pacific area.”

MH-60Rs `Romeos’ Helicopters

In keeping with officers, the Indian Navy goes to obtain the fourth -generation MH-60Rs `Romeos’ helicopters.

These helicopters are going to be loaded with torpedoes and missiles and these missiles are going for use in anti-submarine roles.

The supply of those helicopters shall be accomplished in 5 years from the time the deal was inked.

As reported earlier, these helicopters will substitute the British Sea King helicopters.

The Defence Acquisition Council had put its stamp of approval in 2018.

Eye within the Sky

MH-60Rs `Romeos’ helicopters when mixed with the already being operated Boeing’s P8-I by the Indian Navy will assist submarine looking develop stronger when mixed with these helicopters.

And shortly the Indian Navy shall be getting Sea Guardian Drones from the US primarily based Normal Atomics.

Modifications

The US primarily based Lockheed Martin Firm shall be modifying the helicopters as per Indian specs. And these modifications shall be carried out in Owego, New York; and Stratford, Connecticut, primarily based amenities of Lockheed Martin.

What India goes to obtain are three helicopters which have been meant for the US Navy and is a naval model of Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 household.

The modification will embody the folding important rotor and a hinged tail, which can assist in decreasing the footprint on board the ships.

These helicopters have the aptitude of dealing with the anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW) operations. They can be utilized in search and rescue (SAR), in addition to fight search and rescue (CSAR), naval particular warfare (NSW) insertion, vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).