TSAMTO, April 22. The US Navy Aviation Systems Command on its Twitter page reported on the start of the Sikorsky enterprise in Ovego (pc.New York) flight tests of the first multi-purpose marine helicopter MH-60R "Seahawk", intended for the Indian Navy.
As reported by TSAMTO, in April 2019, the US State Department approved the delivery to India under the Foreign Military Sales program (FMS) of 24 MH-60R multi-purpose marine helicopters, as well as other related equipment, weapons and services at a total cost of $ 2.6 billion. They will replace the outdated UH-3H "Sea King" and Mk. 42B.
In February 2020, India and the United States signed an agreement for the supply of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters under the FMS program, which can be used for anti-submarine and anti-ship defense. The first six vehicles are expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2021.
In May 2020, the US Navy signed the first contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation worth $ 904.8 million for the supply of three MH-60R "Seahawk" for the US Navy and 21 MH-60R for the Government of India.
The ordered helicopters will be made in the latest configuration developed for Saudi Arabia, with some additional modifications for the Indian Armed Forces.
