The deal which is going to be through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) for approximately$2.6 billion will help the Indian Navy to play a critical role in the Indian Ocean where China is increasing its presence.

These fourth-generation MH-60Rs `Romeos’ helicopters for the Indian Navy will come loaded with not only torpedoes but missiles too which can be used for anti-submarine and there is expected to be a 30 per cent offset clause as well. The US-based company package is expected to include training, support, spares and air-to-ground weapons too.

As has been mentioned earlier the talks for these helicopters had been spearheaded by Dr Vivek Lall, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin, who has been credited to have played a very important role in the defence trade between the two countries.

These helicopters from the time the contract will be signed will be delivered in a time frame of five years and will be replacing the British Sea King helicopters. The approval for these helicopters was given by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in 2018.

It had also been discussed by the two leaders as well during the second 2+2 India-US Ministerial Dialogue in December 2019.

According to industry experts, it is the most capable naval helicopter available today designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers. MH-60 Romeo Seahawks would add lethal capabilities of the Indian Navy, which experts say is the need of the hour given the aggressive behaviour of China in the Indian Ocean region.

Lockheed over the years has emerged as a major American supplier of state-of-the-art defence military equipment.

“With this Seahawk deal the overall US-India defence trade will surpass USD 20 billion,” an industry source said. “The pipeline of opportunities for US defence firms can result in another USD 5 billion of sales in the next few years,” the source added.

According to US Naval Air System Command, the MH-60R Seahawk missions are anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, communications relay, combat search and rescue, naval gunfire support and logistics support.

As the Navy’s next-generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk is considered to be the cornerstone of the Navy’s Helicopter Concept of Operations.

The MH-60R and its mission systems have replaced the US naval fleet’s legacy SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft.