Indian Navy MH-60R: The Indian Navy has received one more MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from the United States. With this delivery, the Navy now has 21 helicopters out of the 24 it ordered. The latest one reached India through Kochi last week, and two more are expected to arrive this week. The update was shared by the U.S. Embassy in India, which said the move reflects the growing defence partnership between the two countries.
A stronger lift for the Navy
This helicopter is not just another aircraft. The MH-60R is made for tough naval jobs. It helps the Navy look for submarines, watch the sea, and handle threats from the water. The aircraft comes with
- Radar
- Sensors
- Torpedoes
- Missiles
- Machine guns
- Sonar systems
It can also do rescue work, medical evacuation, and supply support. That makes it useful in both war and peace time.
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India signed the deal for 24 MH-60R helicopters with the United States in February 2020. The first three helicopters arrived in 2021. Later, the Navy formed its first MH-60R squadron, INAS 334 “Seahawks,” at INS Garuda in Kochi in March 2024. A second squadron, INAS 335 “Ospreys,” was raised at INS Hansa in Goa in December 2025. These steps have helped the Navy use the helicopters on both the eastern and western coasts.
Why this helicopter matters
The MH-60R is often called the “Romeo.” It is a maritime version of the Black Hawk family and is known as a very capable ship-based helicopter. Lockheed Martin says it is built for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, along with many support missions. In December 2025, India also signed a five-year sustainment package for the fleet, which will help keep the helicopters ready for service.
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The delivery of this helicopter means the Indian Navy is getting closer to its full order. More aircraft are still due, and the fleet is becoming a bigger part of India’s sea defence plan. The embassy’s latest update also shows that the India-U.S. defence link is continuing to grow through real hardware and long-term support.
