Indian Navy Commissions First Squadron of Submarine-hunting MH 60R Helicopter

The Indian Navy commissioned its first squadron of the newly inducted submarine-hunting MH 60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter at INS Garuda in Kochi on March 6. A maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter, MH 60R Seahawk is armed with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes, and precision-kill rockets.

“The MH 60R helicopter would enhance India’s blue-water capabilities, extending the operational reach of the Navy and supporting sustained naval operations across spectrums and over vast maritime domains,” read a statement from the Indian Navy.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MH 60R

• The helicopter is designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP), the Navy stated.
• The helicopters, equipped with strong encrypted communication links, will operate from frontline ships and aircraft carriers providing flexibility of operation, enhanced surveillance and attack capability to the Indian Navy.
• The helicopters have commenced operation from various ships, including the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
• The Indian government signed a deal with the USA in February 2020, to acquire 24 fourth-generation MH 60R helicopters, of which, six units (a whole squadron) are getting commissioned in Kochi on March 6.
• The helicopters that was used for Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan was from the same family.
• The MH 60R is also capable of firing torpedoes, missiles and advanced precision kill weapon system rockets.
• The helicopter has been rigorously tested in Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) conditions and is fully integrated into the fleet.
• The advanced weapons, sensors and avionics suite make the Seahawks ideal for the Indian Navy’s maritime security needs, offering enhanced capabilities for both conventional as well as asymmetric threats.
• MH 60R helicopter’s deployment in the Indian Ocean Region would strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime presence, dissuading potential threats and ensuring a secure and safe environment in this strategically crucial region, the Navy further said.
• This is the only helicopter in the Indian Navy with self-defence capability from incoming gunfire or missiles.