First two MH-60R arrive in India
On 28 July 2022, the first two Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawks for the Bharatiya Nau Sena (Indian Navy) were delivered to INS Garuda (Cochin) on board a USAF C-17A Globemaster III.
The serials of the MH-60Rs delivered are IN754 and IN755. It is yet unknown which unit will operate the newly delivered multi-mission helicopters, but most probably this will be INAS 336 Flaming Arrows. A third MH-60R is expected in August.
India fast tracked the acquisition of the Seahawk helicopters. In November 2018, a Letter of Request (LoR) was issued to the US government for the acquisition of 24 MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters. On 2 April 2019, the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to India of the MH-60R. Delivery of all 24 Seahawks will be completed by 2025.
The first three MH-60R Seahawks, IN751 to IN753, were diverted from the US Navy production line. These were delivered to Naval Air Station North Island (CA), where they are operated with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 Seahawks ('TS-4xx'). This Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) takes care of training the Indian Navy staff in the US.
The MH-60Rs will replenish India’s ageing fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters operating since the 1980s. The Sea King Mk42Bs are flying with INAS 330 Harpoons at Mumbai (INS Shikra) and INAS 336 Flaming Arrows at Cochin (INS Garuda). Next to that the Indian Navy is also using the Sea King Mk42C in the assault role with the Marine Commando Flight at INS Shikra and in the utility role at Vishakhapatnam (UH-3H).
Photo by Indian Navy