Submarine-hunting Seahawk helicopters to add more muscle to naval power

New Delhi, March 3

The Navy will commission the newly-inducted MH 60R Seahawk, a multi-role helicopter fitted with state-of-the-art avionics and sensors to pick out undersea submarines, at INS Garuda, Kochi, on March 6. Six Seahawk helicopters will be commissioned in the Navy as INAS 334 Squadron.

• Six helicopters to be commissioned as INAS 334 Squadron
• These are part of 24-copter deal signed with the US in 2020

Maritime variant of Black Hawk

The helicopter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is the maritime variant of the Black Hawk chopper used by US forces. A Black Hawk was famously used by the US in a raid to kill Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.

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The helicopter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is the maritime variant of the Black Hawk chopper used by US forces. A Black Hawk was famously used by the US in a raid in May 2011 to kill Osama bin Laden at Abottabad, Pakistan

The all-weather helicopters come armed with Hellfire missiles and lethal rocket systems. The helicopters are a part of the 24-copter contract signed with the US government in February 2020 at a cost of nearly Rs 14,000 crore under the framework of foreign military sales. All 24 helicopters are scheduled for delivery by 2025.

Detailing the abilities of the helicopter, the Ministry of Defence said it has been designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search & rescue and medical evacuation. The helicopter has been rigorously tested in Indian atmospheric conditions.

“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,” the ministry said.

The helicopter would widen the arc of the Navy’s capabilities, extending its operational reach and supporting sustained naval operations. The deployment would strengthen the Navy’s maritime presence, dissuading potential threats and ensuring a secure and safe environment in the strategically crucial region.