On November 28, 2025, India’s Ministry of Defence formalized a five-year sustainment package worth ₹7,995 crore ($894 million) with the United States under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) were signed in New Delhi, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh present. The agreement ensures comprehensive support for the Indian Navy’s 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, covering spares, technical assistance, training, component repair, and in-country maintenance facilities.
The deal builds on India’s 2020 acquisition of 24 MH-60Rs worth ₹15,157 crore, addressing delivery delays and critical maintenance gaps, particularly for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations from ships and dispersed bases. Domestic maintenance hubs and partnerships with MSMEs aim to promote Aatmanirbhar Bharat, reducing helicopter downtime and strengthening indigenous defense infrastructure.
Strategic Significance of MH-60R for the Indian Navy
The MH-60R Seahawk, commissioned as INAS 334 in March 2024, represents a transformative upgrade over the legacy Sea King Mk42/42A fleet. The platform’s multi-role capabilities span:
· Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): Equipped with dipping sonar, sonobuoys, multi-mode radar, electro-optical sensors, and Mk54 torpedoes, MH-60Rs detect submarines at 200+ km, addressing Chinese SSN/SSBN proliferation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Sortie rates jump to 80%+, compared to 50% for Sea Kings.
· Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW): AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and advanced targeting systems enable strikes against surface threats while integrating with BEL communications and HAL IFF systems for joint operations.
· Blue-Water Operations: Capable of operating from INS Vikrant, destroyers, and frigates, the MH-60R extends the Navy’s reach across Hormuz to Malacca, safeguarding critical sea lines of communication (SLOCs) amid piracy and trafficking threats.
· Versatility & Support Missions: Multi-role functionality includes search-and-rescue (SAR), MEDEVAC, and vertical replenishment (VERTREP), enhancing operational flexibility.
Operational and Geopolitical Analysis
The sustainment package ensures high operational readiness, bridging gaps that could have hindered India’s maritime posture. Post-2025 LAC clashes and rising Chinese submarine activity in the IOR underscore the necessity for continuous MH-60R availability.
Economically, the agreement generates ₹2,000+ crore in local business, integrating Indian MSMEs into the maintenance ecosystem. Strategically, the deal aligns with COMCASA and iCET frameworks, enhancing interoperability with US forces, and reinforces Indo-Pacific deterrence amid regional tensions.
Historical precedence—like the 2024 $1.17B FMS approval for MIDS-JTRS radios and FLIR sensors—illustrates a deepening US-India defense partnership. Offset requirements mandate 30% indigenization, promoting long-term self-reliance, while the deal positions India as a potential regional MRO hub for MH-60R/Sea Hawk helicopters.
Strengthening Naval Deterrence and Regional Reach
The ₹7,995 crore MH-60R sustainment deal exemplifies India’s pragmatic approach to defense modernization: combining foreign partnership with domestic capability development. By securing operational readiness, the Indian Navy strengthens Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA), supports the SAGAR vision, and deters asymmetric threats in the IOR.
Beyond immediate maintenance, the deal reinforces strategic deterrence, technological interoperability, and defense industry growth, ensuring that the MH-60R fleet remains a force multiplier for India’s blue-water ambitions and long-term maritime security.
(With agency inputs)
