In a first, Navy’s MH-60R chopper lands on Indian destroyer

New Delhi: In a significant milestone for the Indian Navy, its MH-60R multirole helicopters landed for the first time on the home-made destroyer, INS Kolkata. This achievement provides a major boost to the Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability.

The Indian Navy in a tweet said, "the MH-60R helicopter is a versatile platform known for its exceptional ASW, surveillance, anti-shipping and search and rescue capabilities."

Its integration with Indian Navy warships will further strengthen the navy's capability to counter underwater threats, monitor maritime activities and conduct surveillance operations, it further added.

India has ordered 24 of these helicopters for USD 2.6 billion under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from the U.S. They are being modified with several India-unique equipment and weapons. 

The navy received the first two of the choppers from the US in July 2021.

The MH-60R is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. On its website, Lockheed Martin says its performance-based logistics programme for the US Navy's MH-60R helicopters enables 95 per cent flight readiness and availability – a rate unmatched by other maritime helicopters.

It is an all-weather helicopter designed to support multiple missions with state of the art avionics and sensors.

The all-weather helicopter is designed to support multiple missions with state of the art avionics/ sensors and will be modified with several India Unique Equipment and weapons.

These helicopters will provide the Navy enhanced offensive role including anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship strike, specialised maritime operations as well as search and rescue operations.

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