Stage is getting set for the commissioning of the newly inducted MH 60R Seahawk (a maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter) multi-role helicopter later this week. The commissioning ceremony will take place on Mar 6, 2024, at INS Garuda, Kochi marking a pivotal moment in India’s Defence modernisation journey.
Seahawks Squadron
The helicopters are a part of the 24-aircraft FMS contract signed with the US government in Feb 2020. The Seahawks squadron will be commissioned in the Indian Navy as INAS 334.
Significance of the commissioning
The Indian Navy is preparing to bolster its maritime capabilities with the introduction of Seahawks. These versatile helicopters are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) missions.
Extensively tested under Indian conditions, the Seahawks are now fully integrated into the Navy’s fleet, equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and avionics to effectively address both conventional and unconventional threats at sea.
The MH 60R helicopters will significantly enhance India’s blue-water capabilities, extending the operational range of the Navy and facilitating sustained naval operations across vast maritime domains. Deploying Seahawks in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will reinforce the Navy’s presence, serving as a deterrent against potential threats and ensuring maritime security in this strategically significant area.
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The Seahawks squadron will be commissioned in the Indian Navy as INAS 334. (Image: Indian Navy)
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The commissioning of Seahawks underscores the Indian Navy’s steadfast commitment to fortifying maritime security. (Image: Indian Navy)
The commissioning of Seahawks underscores the Indian Navy’s steadfast commitment to fortifying maritime security, aligning seamlessly with the Government of India’s vision of ensuring Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
These have come through a USD 2.6 billion deal for 24 helicopters under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with manufacturing undertaken by Lockheed Martin Corporation in the United States. The negotiations for these helicopters were led by Dr Vivek Lall, the former Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin.
These helicopters are expected to play a crucial role in the Indian Ocean Region, where the presence of China is expanding, as well as in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Approval for the procurement of these helicopters was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before the visit of former US President Donald Trump to India in 2020, following an earlier approval by the Defence Acquisition Council in 2018.
Customized
The Seahawks have been customized with India-specific weapons, equipment, and advanced sensors. They are the naval variant of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, belonging to the Sikorsky S-70 family. These fourth-generation helicopters are capable of carrying missiles and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare. These machines are meant to replace the aging British Sea King helicopters currently in service with the Indian Navy.