Indian Navy gets two MH-60R choppers from US

Tags: Defence

The US has started the supply of MH-60R multirole helicopters to India under foreign military sales at an estimated cost of USD 2.4 billion.

Important facts

• Recently, US officials handed over the first consignment of two MH-60R helicopters to the Indian Navy at the Cochin International Airport.

• India will receive the third helicopter in August 2022.

• India has signed a deal to buy 24 MH-60R helicopters from the US for its navy. The deal will be completed by 2025.

• In 2019, the US approved the sale of 24 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters to India under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

About MH 60 Romeo 

• MH 60 Romeo is a multi mission helicopter.

• It is built by Sikorsky Aircraft.

• It is considered one of the most advanced maritime helicopters in the world.

• Three crew members are needed to fly it. It can also carry five passengers.

• The US Navy uses it.

• This helicopter can be used for multiple missions including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search-and-Rescue (SAR), Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS), Surveillance, Communication Relay, Logistics Support .

• It is equipped with a Sonobuoy launcher and Raytheon AN/AQS-22 Advanced Airborne Low-Frequency (ALFS) Dipping Sonar for submarine detection.

• Once the submarine is detected, it can destroy it with its Mk 46 and Mk 50 torpedoes.

• It uses the AGM-119 Penguin and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles against warships and ships.