THE US Navy has handed over to its Indian counterpart the first two MH-60R Multi Role Helicopters (MRH) to improve its capabilities to tackle regional threats and make homeland defence stronger. The MH-60R helicopter is an all-weather maritime helicopter which is capable of supporting multiple missions with state-of-the-art avionics.
The Indian Navy is procuring 24 of these helicopters manufactured by Lockheed Martin under foreign military sales from the US administration at an estimated cost of $2.4 billion.
At a ceremony held at the Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island, San Diego, on Friday (17), where the formal transfer of the helicopters took place. India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu was present on the occasion.
At the ceremony, an exchange of documents also took place between vice admiral Kenneth Whitesell, commander naval air forces, US Navy, and vice admiral Ravneet Singh, deputy chief of the naval staff. Senior leaders of the US Navy and Lockheed Martin Corporation were also present.
'India US friendship Touching the Skies'
Hailing the induction of the MRHs as an important milestone in India-US bilateral defence ties, Sandhu said in a tweet, “India US friendship Touching the Skies!” He posted a video of the two helicopters flying with one carrying the flag of the US and another with that of India.
He also noted that the bilateral defence trade between the two democracies has expanded to more than $20 billion in the last couple of years. India and the US are also working together on co-production and co-development of defence platforms, he added.
The Indian envoy also highlighted reform measures that New Delhi has undertaken in the defence sector in recent times that have opened up fresh opportunities for foreign investors.
The US department of defense said the proposed sale will provide India the capability to carry out anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions besides conducting secondary missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay.
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