Explainer: From Sea King to Sea Hawk, how MH-60R helicopters will enhance Indian Navy’s capability
On December 2, the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden notified the US Congress of approving a possible sale of MH-60R multi-mission helicopter equipment along with follow-on support and related equipment for an estimated cost of US$1.17 billion to India.
The MH-60R helicopters were inducted into the Indian Navy earlier this year and are employed for various missions such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, logistics and replenishment, search and rescue and medical evacuation. The procurement of additional equipment would enhance the helicopters’ operational capability to deal with current and future threats.
The package
“The Government of India has requested to buy 30 Multi-functional Information Distribution System – Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS - JTRS),” a communique issued by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said. The proposal also includes advanced data transfer systems, external fuel tanks and AN/AAS 44C(V) forward looking infrared (FLIR) systems, munitions, joint mission planning system and identification friend or foe (IFF) equipment.
Other items on the vast list include an operator machine interface assistant, spare containers, support and test equipment, spare and repair parts; intermediate and depot-level repair capabilities, communications equipment; software development, delivery and support, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, including Navy Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) repair capabilities and Performance Based Logistics (PBL), studies and surveys and other related elements of logistics and program support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the United States – India strategic relationship and improving the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions,” the DSCA said.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, located in Owego, NY. “The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor,” DSCA added.
What is the MH-60 helicopter
Manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft, the MH-60 Sea Hawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission maritime helicopter. Similar to the Black Hawk variant used by the US Army. The Sea Hawk has folding main rotor blades and a hinged tail for stowage onboard warships.
Sikorsky Aircraft is based in Stratford, Connecticut. Ironically, it was established by the Russian aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923, and was among the first companies to manufacture helicopters for civilian and military use. It is now part of the Lockheed Martin Group.
The MH-60 first entered US service in 1984. Development of the more advanced ‘R’ began in 1993, with the first flight being made in 1999 and deployment with the US Navy in 2006. It has a glass cockpit with multi-function displays fully integrated with night vision goggles, missile approach warning system, laser rangefinder, decoy dispensers and infrared jammer, electronic support measures, a multi-mode radar with automatic radar periscope detection and discrimination capability.
The Sea Hawks have a crew of 3–4, with a capacity of five passengers in the cabin and a load carrying capability of around 3,000 kgs. Having a top speed of 330 kmph and a range of 830 kms, it can be armed with various types of torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles, machine guns and an airborne mine clearing system.
About 940 MH-60s have been built and it has also been widely exported with Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the US operating different variants.
Induction by Indian Navy
In August 2018, the Ministry of Defence decided to purchase 24 MH-60R helicopters as a replacement for the ageing British-origin Sea King helicopters and In April 2019, the DSCA notified US Congress of its approval. India signed a Rs15,157 crore contract for the helicopters in February 2020.
On July 16, 2021, the US Navy handed over the first two MH-60Rs to the Indian Navy at its Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego. The Indian Navy formally commissioned the Sea Hawk into the Indian Naval Air Squadron 334 on March 6, 2024 at INS Garuda in Kochi.
The MH-60Rs have been integrated with the indigenously developed aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. According to the Navy, it has been rigorously tested in Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) conditions and enhances India’s blue-water capabilities, extending the operational reach of the Navy and supporting sustained naval operations across spectrums and over vast maritime domains.
Reports also stated that in August 2024, DSCA had approved an Indian order worth USD 52.8 million for three types of high-altitude anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys, that are expendable sensors for detecting and tracking submarines, and related equipment. The Indian Navy is acquiring over 500 sonobuoys for the MH-60 fleet.
In October 2024, DSCA further cleared the sale of 53 aircraft-launched MK-54 Lightweight Torpedo, that has a range of around 10 kms, for the MH-60R along with associated equipment, support and training
