India Signs ₹7,900 Crore Deal with US for MH-60R Navy Helicopter Support

India has taken a significant step in bolstering its naval capabilities by signing a ₹7,900 crore agreement with the United States for the comprehensive sustainment of its MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet. This high-value deal was formalised under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and marks a major stride in ensuring long-term support for one of the Indian Navy’s most advanced rotary-wing platforms.

The deal includes Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) signed between the Ministry of Defence and the US Government in New Delhi. It underscores the growing strategic defence partnership between the two countries and reflects India’s intent to modernise and maintain its cutting-edge naval assets.

What the Deal Covers

The sustainment support package is designed to keep the MH-60R helicopters mission-ready and combat-capable. The Ministry of Defence outlined that the package would provide,

• Spare parts provisioning
• Product support and technical assistance
• Training for maintenance personnel
• Component repair and replenishment
• Establishment of intermediate-level repair and inspection facilities in India

These facilities will not only improve the helicopters’ operational readiness but also reduce reliance on foreign repair hubs, ensuring timely maintenance and lower operational downtimes.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Defence Logistics With Indigenous Support

This agreement aligns strongly with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. By encouraging the participation of MSMEs and domestic defence firms, the deal promotes local capacity building in maintenance, repair, and logistics services.

The Defence Ministry highlighted that the initiative reflects a strategic shift towards self-reliant defence sustainment, which is not only critical for national security but also for the growth of India’s defence industrial ecosystem.

About the MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter

The MH-60R Seahawk, also known as the “Romeo”, is a multi-role naval combat helicopter developed by Lockheed Martin. It is considered one of the most advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platforms globally and can also conduct,

• Anti-surface warfare
• Search and rescue (SAR)
• Surveillance and reconnaissance
• Naval logistics and communications support

India initially signed a deal for 24 MH-60R helicopters in 2020 to enhance its maritime domain awareness and naval combat operations. These helicopters have significantly strengthened India’s ability to operate in contested waters and conduct deep-sea missions.

Strategic and Operational Impact

This support agreement comes at a crucial time when India is focused on enhancing its maritime strength in the Indo-Pacific region amid rising geopolitical challenges. It ensures the MH-60R fleet remains battle-ready and well-supported through its lifecycle, thus enhancing India’s deterrence and response capabilities.

Additionally, the deal symbolises a deepening India-US defence collaboration, reinforcing mutual trust and long-term cooperation in the military domain.

Key Takeaways

• India signed a ₹7,900 crore deal with the US under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme for support of MH-60R helicopters.
• The deal ensures long-term sustainment including spare parts, repair, training, and technical assistance.
• This initiative boosts Aatmanirbhar Bharat, encouraging MSME participation in defence logistics.
• MH-60R is a multi-role naval helicopter capable of ASW, SAR, and surveillance missions.
• The deal reflects deepening India-US defence ties and reinforces India’s maritime capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.