Lockheed Martin Pledges Completion of Indian Navy's MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter Deliveries by the End of 2026

Lockheed Martin, the American aerospace and defense company, has announced that the Indian Navy will receive all remaining MH-60R Seahawk helicopters by the end of 2026. This commitment reinforces the company's dedication to strengthening India's maritime defense capabilities.

The Indian Navy currently operates ten MH-60R helicopters. Lockheed Martin confirmed, "Ten MH-60R helicopters are presently operational with the Indian Navy. The complete order of 24 MH-60Rs will be delivered to India by the close of the next year." This means all 24 helicopters will be delivered one year earlier, original text states the remaining 14 helicopters will be delivered next year.

The MH-60R Seahawk is considered one of the world's most sophisticated maritime helicopters. Its deployment will significantly improve the Indian Navy's ability to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.

The helicopters are fitted with advanced avionics, sensors, and weapons systems, providing a crucial advantage in naval operations. These features include multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, and the ability to deploy torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

The procurement of the 24 MH-60R helicopters was formalized through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement between the Indian and United States governments.

The initial delivery of these helicopters took place in 2021, and subsequent deliveries have proceeded according to the agreed-upon timeline. The deal, valued at approximately $2.6 billion, highlights the strengthening defense partnership between the two nations.

The Indian Ministry of Defence has stated that the induction of the MH-60R helicopters is a crucial step in modernizing the Navy's fleet. With the full fleet operational by the end of 2026, the Indian Navy will significantly enhance its operational capabilities and its ability to protect India's extensive maritime interests, particularly in the increasingly important Indian Ocean Region. The helicopters will be deployed on the Navy's frontline warships, including aircraft carriers and frigates.

 

[P2S2]

This is where the chequebooks are presently.

 

[Leored]

Their corrupted politics sucking our poor indians money. Stop buying from them till they deliver all. Aatma nirbhar is only solution.

 

[sanket]

What about Apache? That too is delayed.

 

[Anant]

Not to give the US any undue credit, and especially not in today's world, but the MH-60R is an example that does show the US doesn't necessarily cause delays by itself. I am not saying that they are not pushing us a lot over the F404 (they most definitely are), but this is an interesting contrast.

 

[Steel Mathi]

According to the US government, they will provide all the equipment needed to monitor China from the sea... but they will never provide India with the advanced helicopter, engines or technology needed to achieve self-reliance...

They will say that they will give what is needed to prevent India from achieving self-reliance, but they will drag it out without giving it... By following them, India will lose at least several years and India's military self-sufficiency in production...

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Kill switch?

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

It's not a supply chain issue anymore... India signed this deal in 2020... but still, half of these are pending... same for Apache, jet engines, etc. The US is just putting pressure on India for the MRFA deal and giving a signal that if you don't give us that deal, the US will not supply important defense items to India easily... Now India is realizing, despite 77 years of independence, what have we done... India should have given priority to important sectors and could have become independent, but India failed to do that and is now realizing the mistake.

 

[Rajesh]

Next we should ink deal for NH-90 Naval frigate Helicopters !

 

[P2S2]

Not to give the US any undue credit, and especially not in today's world, but the MH-60R is an example that does show the US doesn't necessarily cause delays by itself. I am not saying that they are not pushing us a lot over the F404 (they most definitely are), but this is an interesting contrast.

These are strategic assets that are required in the Indo Pacific area not to be delayed to their own detriment.

 

[Kira]

Not to give the US any undue credit, and especially not in today's world, but the MH-60R is an example that does show the US doesn't necessarily cause delays by itself. I am not saying that they are not pushing us a lot over the F404 (they most definitely are), but this is an interesting contrast.

I believe this could be an operational context here too, as the US really values India as a key partner in countering the PRC on the high seas and definitely has a direct interest in aiding its growth.

In comparison, both the IA and IAF don't directly matter to American security interests as they are mainly deployed at India's borders, which is not a priority for the US.

So, delivery of naval equipment may not be subject to political swings in the broader relationship between the two countries (if that is a genuine accusation at all).

PS - Personally, I don't think that delays in the delivery of GE engines are deliberate, as the aviation sector is encountering teething issues left over from the Covid days due to various issues.

Broadly speaking, the US, from a strategic and business perspective, would want India as a big buyer of its gear as it steadily withdraws from established regions like Europe and the Middle East and thus reduces its arms sales there, to prevent India from going back to Russia for arms and ensure its help in containing the PRC.

 

[Vinay Goanpilot]

Not to give the US any undue credit, and especially not in today's world, but the MH-60R is an example that does show the US doesn't necessarily cause delays by itself. I am not saying that they are not pushing us a lot over the F404 (they most definitely are), but this is an interesting contrast.

24 American multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ anti-submarine helicopters were ordered in 2000 in Trump administration now its 2025 still will take one more year at 4 Helicopters per year 3 months to manufacture one helicopter. Quite a Fast Tracked production line i guess.

 

[Anant]

24 American multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ anti-submarine helicopters were ordered in 2000 in Trump administration now its 2025 still will take one more year at 4 Helicopters per year 3 months to manufacture one helicopter. Quite a Fast Tracked production line i guess.

The MH-60Rs were ordered in 2020, not 2000 (which is a typo, I think). Regardless, if you have ever ordered anything to order, you would know that you have a certain waiting period. The production lines are not sitting idle and waiting for orders. At the same time, you don't get the entire production line output sent to one nation.

At the time of negotiations, you will have a delivery schedule drawn up. While we have been receiving the MH-60Rs, the same helicopters are also being delivered to the US, Australia, Greece, South Korea, and Spain.

You can't expect to get the entire production line output sent to one customer unless this kind of thing has been specifically worked in. We did not have such an arrangement, hence we are getting some of the helicopters built in any given year.

 

[Vinay Goanpilot]

if you have ever ordered anything to order, you would know that you have a certain waiting period. The production lines are not sitting idle and waiting for orders. At the same time, you don't get the entire production line output sent to one nation.

At the time of negotiations, you will have a delivery schedule drawn up. While we have been receiving the MH-60Rs, the same helicopters are also being delivered to the US, Australia, Greece, South Korea, and Spain.

MH-60R will be retired by USN by 2040s so Another Expensive Hangar Queen for IN. 15 years left and Then Scramble for Spares.

 

[Anant]

MH-60R will be retired by USN by 2040s so Another Expensive Hangar Queen for IN. 15 years left and Then Scramble for Spares.

Nope. The USN is still ordering more MH-60Rs, and they don't have a replacement lined up yet. A planned replacement is only scheduled to start entering service in the early to mid-2040s, which would suggest the MH-60 will be serving in the US to atlesst 2050.

That said, what makes you think that spares would become an issue if the US retired the type? There are other MH-60R operators who will be operating the type beyond that period, which means spares and other support will continue. Moreover, with there being talk of ordering more MH-60Rs for the IN given the fleets upsizing and impending retirements of the Ka-28 fleet, support would become somewhat more easier.

 

[Anant]

Next we should ink deal for NH-90 Naval frigate Helicopters !

Absolutely no need. Given the fleets upsizing and impending retirement of the Ka-28 and Sea King fleets, it would be far more sensible to get more MH-60Rs. Maybe another 36 or so, which brings the total to 60 and gives us sufficient time to work on a replacement later on.

 

[Anant]

According to the US government, they will provide all the equipment needed to monitor China from the sea... but they will never provide India with the advanced helicopter, engines or technology needed to achieve self-reliance...

They will say that they will give what is needed to prevent India from achieving self-reliance, but they will drag it out without giving it... By following them, India will lose at least several years and India's military self-sufficiency in production...

Not to give the US any credit, but they are selling us the MH-60Rs? Those are pretty advanced ASW helicopters.

 

[Anant]

It's not a supply chain issue anymore... India signed this deal in 2020... but still, half of these are pending... same for Apache, jet engines, etc. The US is just putting pressure on India for the MRFA deal and giving a signal that if you don't give us that deal, the US will not supply important defense items to India easily... Now India is realizing, despite 77 years of independence, what have we done... India should have given priority to important sectors and could have become independent, but India failed to do that and is now realizing the mistake.

The deliveries are on schedule. You can't expect deliveries to be faster than the schedule unless something massive has changed.

 

[P2S2]

The deliveries are on schedule. You can't expect deliveries to be faster than the schedule unless something massive has changed.

Patience is a virtue.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

This is at least one critical system (the other being P-8I's) where the Navy moved decisively for acquisition and is on time. In fact, considering the total number of surface combatants, where helicopters are to be based, the total number ordered, 24 is way too short. They should have gone in for a multi year order of at least 64, with 8 being delivered every year. With this, at least the frontline ships would have had a decent number of choppers available for them.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

Under TOT for the helicopter, weapons, and sensors, over 125 must be built in India, as the Navy is grossly deficient with ship-borne ASW helicopters, with the Sea Kings and KA-27-31 having outlived their lives or moving towards the end of life. The ALH is neither designed for sea nor reliable and cannot be used, depriving the Navy and aircraft carriers of the much-needed ASW/AAW choppers.

 

[P2S2]

Next we should ink deal for NH-90 Naval frigate Helicopters !

Yes and strengthen the frigates too to match Chinese fire-power

 

[Anant]

This is at least one critical system (the other being P-8I's) where the Navy moved decisively for acquisition and is on time. In fact, considering the total number of surface combatants, where helicopters are to be based, the total number ordered, 24 is way too short. They should have gone in for a multi year order of at least 64, with 8 being delivered every year. With this, at least the frontline ships would have had a decent number of choppers available for them.

There is some discussion going on about ordering a further 36 MH-60Rs to replace the Sea Kings and Ka-28s.