In a crucial decision before leaving office, US President Joe Biden cleared the sale of defense items to India for $1.17 billion. This contract as formally reported to Congress supports the provision of MH-60R multi-mission helicopter equipment and associated systems and support.
Upgraded MH-60R helicopters are likely to improve considerably India’s submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare capabilities. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated that this sale of defense equipment to India aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives, enhancing bilateral ties and contributing to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.
Sale of Defense Items to India is Strategic and Technological Leap
MH-60R, developed by the U.S. Navy, is widely recognized for its ability and stability for maritime operations. State-of-the-art performance is offered in the package, including multi-mode radar, high-performance data transfer architectures, forward-looking infrared sensors, and on-board mission systems. This sale of defense equipment to India leads to a giant leap in the naval operations of India, where better situational awareness and effective countermeasures have been possible.
Lockheed Martin, the principal contractor, will oversee the implementation. The corporation will also collaborate with Indian companies, e.g., Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to integrate special systems that will be tailored for the Indian environment (20,21).
The Indian Navy has already taken delivery of the MH-60R Seahawks into its ship fleet, with its first squadron commissioned in the same year at INS Garuda, Kochi. That said, these helicopters are, in reality, also equipped to serve in search and rescue, military medical evacuation, and command activities, and are, so to say, capable of fulfilling another range of functions based on the nature of the anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare missions they are primarily aimed to carry out.
The export of defense equipment to India is a strategic next step that strengthens India’s maritime capabilities and strengthens the U.S.-India defense relationship. Over 330 MH-60Rs are in production around the globe being utilized by the US, Danish, Australian, and Saudi naval forces all of which suggest their significant role in current naval warfare.
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