MH 60R Seahawk Commission: The Indian Navy will induct the MH 60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter into service at INS Garuda in Kerala’s Kochi region on March 6 as a part of modernization.
A maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter, India has already purchased six MH-60R helicopters from US defence giant Lockheed Martin. The MH60R helicopters will be deployed on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
In 2020, India placed a $2.6 billion order for 24 Romeo multi-role helicopters with India-specific modifications, including Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine missiles.
Indian Navy Chief PRO Vivek Madhwal said the Seahawks will be inducted into the Indian Navy as INAS 334.
He also said the force is expected to have a significant increase in maritime capabilities with integration.
The MH 60R Seahawk Helicopter
Multi-function helicopter MH-60R Helicopter designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) ) and vertical refueling (VERTREP).
The helicopter has been rigorously tested under Indian Standard Atmospheric (IRA) conditions and is fully integrated into the fleet.
Advanced weapons, sensors and avionics make the Seahawks ideal for the Indian Navy’s maritime security needs, providing enhanced capabilities against conventional and asymmetrical
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What is the effect of MH 60R Seahawk Commission?
Lockheed Martin describes the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, or “Romeo”, as an anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare platform.
For those unfamiliar, this means it can destroy both enemy submarines and surface ships.
It can operate from land-based and ship-based facilities.
The MH-60R’s advanced digital sensors include multi-mode radar, electronic support measurement systems, electro-optical or infrared cameras, data links, aircraft rescue systems, embedded sonar and ultrasonic buoy.
Lockheed Martin said Romeo’s fully integrated mission system processes data collected by its sensors to create a comprehensive situational picture of the surface and underwater extent of the ocean.
INAS 334 #Seahawks
The first MH 60R Squadron commissioned into the #IndianNavy, today #06Mar 24 at INS Garuda, Kochi, @IN_HQSNC. pic.twitter.com/gcZ1JkWcJf— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 6, 2024
With the useful knowledge it provides, the MH-60R can track, target and destroy ships or submarines.
The Seahawks are also designed for search and rescue, medical evacuation, command and control, and additional vertical missions.
The MH-60R’s armament includes torpedoes, air-to-ground missiles, rockets, and crew artillery.
Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes are among the special weapons these helicopters are equipped with.
What is special about MH-60R of the Indian Navy?
MH-60R for the Indian Navy is equipped with specialized equipment to meet Indian requirements and is said to have undergone customization, including Friend-Friend Identification transponders ( IFF) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Lockheed Martin is also working with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to integrate these devices.
Additionally, according to Janes, a defense news portal and weekly, the Indian Navy’s Seahawks are also equipped with a suite of mission sensors, including the APS-153 multi-mode radar.
These radar’s potential detection modes help the helicopter perform the submarine hunting role.
