India, US ink Rs 7,995 crore support pact for Navy’s MH-60R choppers

India on Friday sealed a Rs 7,995 crore deal with the United States for a five-year “follow on support” package for the Indian Navy’s fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The agreement comes at a time when ties have seen some strain after US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in late August.

The defence ministry said it signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the US for sustainment support of the MH-60R fleet through follow-on support and supply for five years at an approximate value of Rs 7,995 crore.

The MH-60R, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, is an all-weather helicopter designed to support multiple missions with state-of-the-art avionics and sensors. The LOAs were inked under the US foreign military sales programme.

India had signed an agreement with the US in February 2020 for the procurement of 24 MH-60Rs. The MH-60R Seahawk is the maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter.

According to the defence ministry, the sustainment support package is a comprehensive plan that includes provisioning of spares, support equipment, product support, training, and technical support, as well as repair and replenishment of components.

It also provides for the establishment of intermediate-level component repairs and periodic maintenance inspection facilities in India for the helicopters.

“In-country development of these facilities will ensure capability build-up in the long run and reduced dependence on the US government, thus aligning with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the ministry said. “This would further lead to indigenous product and services development through MSMEs and other Indian firms,” it added.

The ministry said the sustainment support would significantly enhance the operational availability and maintainability of the MH-60R helicopters, which also have anti-submarine warfare capability.

“In addition, the support would enable the operation of these helicopters from dispersed locations as well as ships, ensuring optimal performance during all their primary and secondary missions,” it said.

The first three MH-60R helicopters were delivered to India in 2021.