Source : India Sentinels

An Indian Navy MH-60R “Romeo” helicopter. (Photo: Indian Navy)

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has received the sixth MH-60R “Romeo” helicopter from Lockheed Martin. The US-based defence behemoth announced this on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday. It also said it expects to complete the delivery of all the MH-60R choppers that India ordered by 2025.

Lockheed Martin delivers 6th MH-60R Romeo helicopter to Indian Navy

Upon Indian shores, a hero arrives,
Elevating maritime security to greater heights,
Another #Romeo joins the Indian Navy's might,
Guarding land and water, day and night!

6️⃣ #MH60R helicopters are now available to the @IndianNavy for operational requirements in 🇮🇳. #RomeoForIndia pic.twitter.com/eRrGLSn1r8

— Lockheed Martin India (@LMIndiaNews) December 14, 2023

The Indian Navy received the first two MH-60R from the US Navy at a ceremony held in a US naval airbase in San Diego, in July 2021.

To boost the Navy’s operational capabilities, the government ordered 24 MH-60R multi-role helicopters in 2020 at a cost of $2.6 billion, which is around ₹216,419,227,350 in today’s exchange rate, with India-specific modifications and weapons. This includes Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes.

Trending

Turkish KAAN has an edge but Indian AMCA 5th Gen Stealth Fighter will catch up soon

Apart from ASW, the versatile “Romeo” can also be used for maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy duties, and search-rescue missions.

These multirole choppers will be deployed on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Earlier this year, the MH-60R helicopter successfully landed on indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and destroyer INS Kolkata.