Why in News?
India has signed a ₹7,900-crore follow-on sustainment agreement with the United States for long-term support of the MH-60R Seahawk multirole naval helicopter fleet. The deal—finalised under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route—will ensure operational readiness of the Indian Navy’s 24 MH-60R helicopters over the next five years.

About the Agreement

The Ministry of Defence and the US Government exchanged Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) in New Delhi, marking another milestone in India–US defence cooperation.

The sustainment package includes:

• Provisioning of spare parts
• Comprehensive product support & technical assistance
• Training for maintenance crews
• Component repair and replenishment
• Establishment of intermediate-level repair and inspection facilities in India

This will significantly reduce dependence on foreign repair hubs, improve turnaround time, and boost the helicopters’ mission availability.

About MH-60R Seahawk (“Romeo”) Helicopter

• Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, USA
• Considered one of the world’s most advanced multi-mission naval helicopters
• Tailored for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare roles

Key Features

1. All-Weather, All-Mission Platform

The MH-60R is equipped with cutting-edge avionics and sensors, enabling operations in diverse maritime environments.

2. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Capabilities

• AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar
• Sonobuoy launcher
• Advanced multi-mode maritime radar
• Mk-54 lightweight torpedoes

These features make it one of the most effective submarine-hunting helicopters in the world.

3. Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) Loadout

• AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
• Lightweight torpedoes
• Heavy and light machine guns
• Advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors for targeting

4. Additional Roles

• Maritime surveillance
• Search and rescue (SAR)
• Medical evacuation
• Shipborne operations

Strategic Significance

1. Enhanced Maritime Security

The agreement ensures that India’s frontline ASW helicopter fleet remains combat-ready, strengthening naval vigilance across the Indian Ocean Region.

2. Indo-Pacific Geopolitical Impact

As regional tensions increase, especially with submarine activity in the Indo-Pacific, sustained operational capacity of the MH-60R fleet improves India’s deterrence and response posture.

3. Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat

By developing repair and test infrastructure within India, the deal encourages:

• Local manufacturing
• MSME participation
• Reduced logistic dependence on foreign facilities

4. Deepening India–US Defence Cooperation

This sustainment agreement reflects growing strategic trust between the two nations, building on previous deals involving P-8I aircraft, C-130J, Apache, and Chinook platforms.

Admissions open

Key Takeaways

• India signed a ₹7,900 crore sustainment deal with the US for MH-60R helicopters under FMS.
• The package includes spares, repairs, training, and setting up repair facilities in India.
• MH-60R is a state-of-the-art multirole naval helicopter with advanced ASW and ASuW capabilities.
• The agreement enhances India’s maritime strength, supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and deepens India-US military ties.
• The deal is strategically important for Indo-Pacific security.