Washington: As another sign that strengthens Indian-US defense relations, the US Navy has submitted two multi-role helicopters of the first MH-60R (MRH) to the Indian Navy.
The Indian Navy is 24 of these helicopters produced by Lockheed Martin under foreign military sales from the US government with an estimated cost of $ 2.4 billion.
A ceremony was held at the Naval Air Station North Island or Nas North Island, San Diego on Friday which marked the transfer of formal helicopters from the US Navy to the Indian Navy.
It was attended by the Indian Ambassador to US Tarajit Singh Sandhu.
The ceremony also witnessed the exchange of documents between Deputy ADM Kenneth Whitesell, Commander’s Navy Force, the US Navy and Deputy ADM Ravneet Singh, DCNS.
Senior Leadership of the US Navy and Lockheed Martin Corporation were also present.
Sandhu said the induction of multi-role helicopters all weather was an important milestone in the Indian-US bilateral defense bond.
“India US friendship touches the sky!” He said in a tweet.
He noted that bilateral defense trade has grown to more than 20 billion dollars in recent years.
Beyond the trade in defense, India and the US also worked together on shared production and development with the defense platform, he said.
Sandhu also highlighted the steps of reforms that had been carried out by India in the defense sector in recent times that have opened new opportunities for foreign investors.
Helicopter MH-60R is a weather helicopter that is designed to support various missions with advanced avionics.
This MRH induction will increase the capabilities of the three-dimensional Indian navies.
The helicopter will also be modified with several unique equipment and weapons.
The first batch of the Indian crew is currently undergoing training in the US.
According to the Department of Defense, the proposed sales will provide India’s ability to carry out the mission of anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare along with the ability to carry out secondary missions including vertical charging, search and rescue, and communication relay.
India will use enhanced capabilities as a prevention of regional threats and to strengthen the defense of the homeland.
India will have trouble absorbing this helicopter into his armed forces, it was said to be communication to Congress in April 2019.
The Indian cabinet has cleared the purchase of helicopters in February 2020, weeks before the US President’s historic visit at that time Donald Trump.