India Inks Pact With US Worth Rs 7995 Crore To Boost Navy's MH60R Helicopter Ops

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the United States government for a five-year sustainment support package for the Indian Navy’s MH60R helicopter fleet, valued at approximately Rs 7,995 crore. The agreements, covering Follow-on-Support and Follow-on-Supply Support under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, were signed in New Delhi on November 28, 2025, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

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Sustainment Support is a comprehensive package that includes provisioning of spares, support equipment, product support, training and technical support, repair and replenishment of components, and establishment of ‘Intermediate’ level component repair and Periodic Maintenance Inspection facilities in India. Developing these facilities in-country is aimed at long-term capability build-up and reducing dependence on the US government, in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, while creating opportunities for MSMEs and other Indian firms in defence services and product development.

According to the ministry, the sustainment support will significantly enhance the operational availability and maintainability of the technologically advanced, all-weather capable MH60R helicopters, which also have Anti-Submarine Warfare capability and were acquired through the US government. The support framework will also enable their deployment from dispersed shore locations as well as from ships, ensuring optimal performance across all primary and secondary mission roles.

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