The Indian Navy's MH-60R & Naval Dhruv UHM Helicopters

316307632_515669207269707_34421374408215108_n.jpeg
 

Six MH-60R multirole helicopters delivered to Indian Navy​

placeholder-16-9.jpg


Lockheed Martin/Sikorski MH-60Rs destined for the Indian Navy have specialised equipment to fit Indian requirements. This includes domestic IFF and other systems. (Lockheed Martin/Sikorski)

The Indian Navy (IN) has received six Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare helicopters.

William Blair, chief executive for Lockheed Martin India, told Janes that the first three MH-60R multirole helicopters have been delivered to the Indian Navy. The company said that these aircraft are operating at naval air station INS Garuda in Kochi, India.

Blair added that three additional MH-60Rs have been delivered to the Indian Navy in San Diego. These three aircraft remain in San Diego as the Indian Navy has “decided to extend the training of pilots, maintenance personnel, and sustainment teams”, he said.

The acquisitions are part of a 24-helicopter, USD2.6 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal, which was jointly announced by India and the United States in February 2020. Delivery of the fleet is expected to be completed by 2025.

The Indian Navy helicopters are being subjected to some customisation. Blair said the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) had requested the inclusion of Buyer Nominated Equipment (BNE), including domestic systems, in the helicopters. Lockheed Martin said that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered the first two BNEs – Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) transponder units – for the Indian Navy's MH-60Rs.

“We're working closely with both Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and HAL on the integration of the specific Indian equipment,” he said.

The Indian Navy's MH-60Rs are also equipped with a mission sensor suite. According to Lockheed Martin, this includes the APS-153 multimode radar with long/short-range search Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging and periscope detection modes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marich01 and Ashwin
What weapon pack did we get with the MH-60s? Those MBDA short range junks, sea venom sea breaker sort?
Would be disappointed if NASM is not able to be integrated with these, sea king helos do not have very long legs.
 
With the approval for procurement of 60 Utility Helicopter - Maritime, the NUH saga seems to have come to a climax. The orginal requirement was for 111 NUH which will be divided into 60 UH-M (Dhruv-MK3MR enhanced) and 51 LUH-Navy.
 
With the approval for procurement of 60 Utility Helicopter - Maritime, the NUH saga seems to have come to a climax. The orginal requirement was for 111 NUH which will be divided into 60 UH-M (Dhruv-MK3MR enhanced) and 51 LUH-Navy.
Any idea why the program was sub divided in this manner
 
  • Like
Reactions: marich01
Regarding the news snippet where HAL has stated they're in the process of developing the hptr & are likely to deploy it in 3 yrs?? The matter's been pending since AI-19 or at least AI-21 in any case where it generated plenty of heat with the IN refusing to consider the ALG Mk-3 with foldable blades.

Back then HAL declared they needed 2-3 yrs to demonstrate & certify the entire procedure smoothly aboard the deck of any ship.

3 yrs later they still require 3 yrs?!?
 
  • Like
Reactions: aditya g
Regarding the news snippet where HAL has stated they're in the process of developing the hptr & are likely to deploy it in 3 yrs?? The matter's been pending since AI-19 or at least AI-21 in any case where it generated plenty of heat with the IN refusing to consider the ALG Mk-3 with foldable blades.

Back then HAL declared they needed 2-3 yrs to demonstrate & certify the entire procedure smoothly aboard the deck of any ship.

3 yrs later they still require 3 yrs?!?
Their claim, so they know more about it. But towards end of last year the foldable wing design was in the news. So that has progressed & pending CEMILAC certification , now lets see how trials go. Navy usually are very confident about their purchases.