Indian Navy to Receive Final Batch of MH-60R Seahawks by 2025 End, Completing Major Fleet Upgrade

The Indian Navy is on track to receive the remaining 15 MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters from the United States by the end of 2025. This delivery will complete the 2020 agreement with the U.S. government for a total of 24 MH-60R helicopters, a deal valued at over ₹14,000 crore.

This acquisition represents a significant step in modernizing the Indian Navy's helicopter fleet. The MH-60R Seahawk, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is a highly versatile platform designed for a wide range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), and other critical naval operations.

The MH-60R replaces older models like the Sea King, providing the Indian Navy with state-of-the-art avionics, sensors, and weapon systems. These advanced capabilities enhance the Navy's ability to operate effectively in increasingly contested maritime environments.

In 2021, the Indian Navy received the first three helicopters on an expedited basis to meet urgent operational requirements. Six more were delivered subsequently as part of a phased delivery schedule. These initial helicopters have been integrated into the Navy's fleet, with Indian crews receiving comprehensive training in the U.S.

The final 15 helicopters are expected to be delivered by 2025, fulfilling the contract. This acquisition comes at a strategic time when India is focused on enhancing its maritime domain awareness and operational readiness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The MH-60R's ability to operate from various platforms, including aircraft carriers, frigates, and destroyers, makes it a crucial asset for India's blue-water navy ambitions.

Key Capabilities of the MH-60R​

• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): Advanced sonar and sonobuoys for detecting and tracking submarines.
• Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW): Missiles and torpedoes to engage surface targets.
• Search and Rescue (SAR): Advanced sensors and long-range capabilities for search and rescue operations.
• Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP): Transporting cargo and supplies between ships.
• Command and Control: Serving as a command and control platform for naval operations.

The acquisition of the MH-60R Seahawks significantly strengthens the Indian Navy's capabilities, contributing to a more robust and modern fleet capable of addressing the evolving challenges in the maritime domain.

 

[sanket]

So US take 5 years to complete te 24 MH-60R chopper delivery after signing the deal, very Nice rate of production (its 4.5)

 

[Anant]

With the Sea King fleet looking at a full retirement soon, and with the DBMRH ASW variant still a very long time away, we need to seriously consider an increased order for the MH-60, given the Navy's present upsizing. Perhaps another 16 or so would be a good fleet strength (for a total of 40), and would give us some time and flexibility to get the DBMRH going.

 

[Anonymus]

Russia is in war and sanctions thus there delay is understandable but why america is delaying there every delivery either it's engine or chopper all deals are facing delays.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

With the Sea King fleet looking at a full retirement soon, and with the DBMRH ASW variant still a very long time away, we need to seriously consider an increased order for the MH-60, given the Navy's present upsizing. Perhaps another 16 or so would be a good fleet strength (for a total of 40), and would give us some time and flexibility to get the DBMRH going.

Well, the decsion for additial MH-60's should have been made in 2020 itself. They could have made a deal in 2020 itself for phased delivery of a minimum of 64 choppers over a period of 5 years ! DBMRH is not going to come in for another decade at a minimum, if it does !!

 

[Abs29]

So US take 5 years to complete te 24 MH-60R chopper delivery after signing the deal, very Nice rate of production (its 4.5)

India isint the only customer of MH-60R Romeo, it's being also acquired by Australia, Spain, Norway, South Korea among others. So though production would be higher its delivery would be scheduled.

 

[Akhil]

So US take 5 years to complete te 24 MH-60R chopper delivery after signing the deal, very Nice rate of production (its 4.5)

But French Dassault took 6 years to complete delivery of 36 Rafales when they were chasing flies at their shop without any international order.

 

[Ashutosh Shukla]

But French Dassault took 6 years to complete delivery of 36 Rafales when they were chasing flies at their shop without any international order.

even in covid times french delivered, first aircraft was delired 3 years after signing of contract, same contract happen for GE F-404 3 years back not a single engine delived in 4 years

 

[Phantom]

With the Sea King fleet looking at a full retirement soon, and with the DBMRH ASW variant still a very long time away, we need to seriously consider an increased order for the MH-60, given the Navy's present upsizing. Perhaps another 16 or so would be a good fleet strength (for a total of 40), and would give us some time and flexibility to get the DBMRH going.

If we pay $350Mln for each Rafale and pay $45-50Bln to get 114 4th gen Rafale we won’t have any money left to buy super critical items like this, better to stay away from obsolete 4th gen tech super expensive foreign fighter jet, we will have money to buy super critical items like MH-60R, P8’s and sea guardian.

 

[desigandu]

Bharat should consider getting 24-36 more MH60Rs for ASW operations in IOR, given the fact that our own IMRH/DBMRH would not be available at scale earliest before 2030-2032…yes, these are expensive but some of the best ASW platforms when combined with additional P8Is (which we should get more of too around 6-12) and future navalized C-295s…Countering Chinese submarines require good and expensive ASW capability combined with a SOSUS type arrangements around all 3 IOR choke points…
Separately IN has a gap for AEW aircraft’s and our smallish carriers can’t fly something like the E2D Hawkeye, which is a great platform…Hopefully we can use some land based and ship based drones for AEW and also as carriers based refuelers like the MQ25s…Can the C295s as AEW jets, be modified to fly from our ski jump 45000 carriers even with a reduced payload and range and even 2 planes per carriers can make a big difference - hard but is it doable???