India Signs ₹7,995 Crore Agreement with US for Sustainment Support of Navy’s MH-60R Helicopter Fleet
India signs ₹7,995 crore deal with US for MH-60R helicopter support.
The Union Ministry of Defence announced on Friday the signing of Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the United States Government under the Foreign Military Sales Programme for comprehensive sustainment support of the Indian Navy's MH-60R helicopter fleet. Valued at approximately ₹7,995 crore, these five-year agreements cover Follow-on Support and Follow-on Supply Support, formalized in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The MH-60R, known as the "Romeo" helicopter, represents advanced multi-role platforms with anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface capabilities, equipped with digital sensors, radar, and dipping sonar.
The sustainment package includes provisioning of spares, support equipment, technical training, product assistance, component repairs, and replenishment services. It also establishes 'Intermediate' level repair facilities and Periodic Maintenance Inspection setups within India, significantly boosting operational availability and maintainability for operations from ships or dispersed locations. This support ensures the helicopters perform optimally in all-weather conditions across primary and secondary missions.
A key strategic focus of the agreements lies in building long-term domestic capabilities, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision to lessen reliance on US support over time. By developing in-country maintenance infrastructure, the deal fosters indigenous product and service innovation through MSMEs and Indian firms, enhancing self-reliance in defence logistics.
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These helicopters, acquired from the US, bring transformational anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare strengths to the Indian Navy with rugged, reliable performance backed by advanced avionics and survivability systems. The agreement strengthens India-US defence ties while prioritizing operational readiness amid evolving maritime security needs.
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