The State Department has approved India’s potential $1.17 billion foreign military sales request for MH-60R multimission helicopter equipment and follow-on support services.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Monday Lockheed Martin‘s rotary and mission systems business segment will be the principal contractor in the proposed FMS deal.
The government of India expects the transaction to help upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capabilities to deter existing and future threats.
Requested MH-60R Equipment & Support
India requested to purchase 30 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems and non-MDE items, including external fuel tanks, advanced data transfer systems and AN/AAS 44C(V) forward-looking infrared systems.
The proposed sale also covers an operator machine interface assistant, spare containers, munitions, communications equipment, personnel training and training equipment and support services, including software development and delivery, technical documentation, studies and surveys, technical and logistics services.
The transaction will also require the temporary deployment of up to 20 U.S. government or 25 contractor representatives to the South Asian country to provide management oversight and program technical support.
DSCA notified Congress of the FMS request on Monday.
What Is MH-60R?
The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is designed to provide anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities for naval forces worldwide.
The aircraft comes with a multimode radar, dipping sonar and sonobuoys, an electronic support measures system and other advanced digital sensors. The helicopter’s mission system works to process sensor data to develop a situational view of the ocean surface and subsea domain.
Seahawk’s weapons include air-to-ground missiles and rockets, torpedoes and crew served guns.
