MH-60R helicopter India Navy 2025, Lockheed Martin, Indian Navy, anti-submarine warfare, US India defence deal, INAS 334, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Rajesh Kumar Singh

The Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a major ₹7,995 crore ($946 million) sustainment deal with the United States for its fleet of 24 MH-60R 'Romeo' multi-mission helicopters. Finalized on November 28, 2025, the agreement covers a five-year maintenance, training, and spare parts regime. Crucially, it mandates the establishment of in-country repair facilities, aligning with the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision to reduce long-term dependency on US supply chains. This strategic move comes despite current trade tensions and aims to fortify India's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The Context (How We Got Here)

India first ordered the 24 Lockheed Martin-built helicopters in February 2020 under a $2.6 billion Foreign Military Sales agreement to replace its aging Sea King fleet. While the first three choppers arrived in 2021 for training, delivery delays have pushed the full fleet's induction to late 2026. The Indian Navy commissioned its first operational MH-60R squadron, INAS 334 'Seahawks', in Kochi in March 2024. With China's submarine presence growing in the IOR, this sustainment deal ensures these advanced platforms—equipped with Hellfire missiles and MK-54 torpedoes—remain combat-ready.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

Indian Navy (Operator): The primary beneficiary. This deal guarantees the operational availability of its most potent ASW asset, allowing it to track and hunt enemy submarines effectively.
Lockheed Martin (Manufacturer): The partner. Through local collaborations like with Rossel Techsys in Bengaluru, the US defense giant is integrating into India's domestic defense ecosystem, moving beyond a simple buyer-seller relationship.
US State Department: The facilitator. By approving this deal amidst tariff disputes, Washington signals that defense interoperability with India remains a top priority for its Indo-Pacific strategy against China.

The BIGSTORY Reframe (The BigStory Angle)

While headlines focus on the price tag, the deeper story is the "Sustainment Sovereignty." Historically, India's military has struggled with the "spare parts trap"—costly, time-consuming dependency on foreign OEMs for repairs. This deal attempts to break that cycle by localizing maintenance. It’s a pivot from just "buying American" to "fixing in India." If successful, this model could become the blueprint for future defense contracts, ensuring that in a crisis, India's most advanced weapons don't get grounded by a supply chain disruption in Washington.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

Strategically, this enhances the Indian Navy's "sea denial" capability. A fully sustained MH-60R fleet, integrated with P-8I aircraft, creates a formidable ASW net in the Indian Ocean. Industrially, it funnels high-tech maintenance work to Indian MSMEs, boosting the local defense sector. However, the continued delivery delays (now pushed to 2026) remain a concern, highlighting the gap between signing deals and fielding capabilities.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If we can build the repair shops in Bengaluru, how long until we can build the helicopter itself?

FAQs

What is the MH-60R helicopter and why did India buy it? The MH-60R "Romeo" is an advanced multi-mission helicopter manufactured by Lockheed Martin. India purchased 24 of them to replace its aging Sea King fleet, specifically to enhance its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities against Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean.

How many MH-60R helicopters have been delivered to India so far? As of late 2025, India has received 15 of the ordered 24 helicopters. The remaining units are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026, following some schedule delays.

What is India's ₹7,995-crore sustainment deal with the US? It is a five-year contract signed on November 28, 2025, ensuring maintenance, spare parts, and technical support for the MH-60R fleet. Crucially, it includes provisions for setting up repair facilities within India to support domestic industry.

How does the MH-60R help India counter Chinese submarines? The helicopter is equipped with advanced dipping sonar, sonobuoys, multi-mode radar, and MK-54 torpedoes, making it a potent platform for detecting and engaging enemy submarines lurking in deep or shallow waters.

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Brajesh Mishra Associate Editor

Brajesh Mishra is an Associate Editor at BIGSTORY NETWORK, specializing in daily news from India with a keen focus on AI, technology, and the automobile sector. He brings sharp editorial judgment and a passion for delivering accurate, engaging, and timely stories to a diverse audience.