Navy Awards Contract to Lockheed for India’s MH-60R Helicopters

A U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk, assigned to the “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, approaches the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) May 7, 2020. India has ordered 21 of the helicopters for ships in its navy. U.S. NAVY / Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Julian Davis

ARLINGTON, Va. — India will become the fourth nation to receive MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Lockheed Martin. Under a May 14 U.S. Navy contract, India will receive 21 MH-60Rs for the ships in its navy.

Naval Air Systems Command awarded a $905 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus fixed-fee contract modification to Lockheed Martin for 21 MH-60Rs for India plus three more for the U.S. Navy, the Defense Department said in a release.

The U.S. Navy operates 289 MH-60Rs on its aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and littoral combat ships. The Royal Australian Navy operates 24 MH-60Rs from its warships, having received its first MH-60R in 2013. The Royal Danish Air Force flies nine MH-60Rs, having acquired its first in 2016. The Royal Saudi Navy has begun to receive a total of 10 MH-60Rs, which will be flown from its forthcoming multimission surface combatant ship, also built by Lockheed.

“India’s selection of the MH-60R ‘Romeo’ multi-mission helicopter provides the Indian Navy with the most advanced anti-surface/antisubmarine warfare helicopter in operation today,” said Tom Kane, director, Sikorsky Naval Helicopter Programs, in a May 14 release. “The MH-60R offers the lowest risk and best value option because the aircraft is already in full production and globally supportable. The MH-60R provides a vital capability in the Indo-Pacific region and equips the Indian Navy with a tremendous capability that is ready for operations immediately upon delivery. We thank the government of India for its confidence in Sikorsky and look forward to supporting our partners in the Indian armed forces over the next 30 years.”

The sale of the MH-60R represents another advance of U.S. defense equipment into the market for the government of India. The Indian Navy also operates the Boeing-built P-8I Neptune version of the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.