MH 60 Multi-Role Helicopter & P-8 Will Strengthen Ind-US Ties

MH 60 multi-role helicopter and P-8 will strengthen ties between US and Indian Navy: Pentagon.

Relations between India and the US will get a new boost after India acquires two MH 60 R Romeo Seahawk helicopters from the US Navy for its navy and P-8 Poseidon aircraft for maritime surveillance.

The Pentagon says that India and the US have signed a defense deal worth about $ 2.5 billion.

Under this deal, India will buy 24 MH-60R multi-role helicopters for its Navy, which will be produced by Lockheed Martin.

Helicopters and aircraft have been formally handed over to India in the ceremony held on this occasion at the Naval Air Force Station of San Diego.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a press conference, the US congratulates its ally India, which just last week received two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and Poseidon aircraft.

Kirby said that India is the first country outside the US to use P-8 aircraft as surveillance in the Indo-Pacific.

The Pentagon has said that this will further strengthen the relationship between the navies of the two countries.

The MH-60R helicopter can fly in all weather. It has been designed in such a way that it can play an important role in many types of missions.

By changing it, many other special equipment and weapons have also been installed. The Indian contingent is currently being trained in the US as its first batch.

William Blair, Vice President, and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India, said in a statement that the MH-60R is an advanced multi-mission helicopter.

He has also praised the tremendous confidence of the Indian batch. He has also said that both the countries are fully committed to moving forward together.

Hamid Saleem, Vice President, Sikorsky Maritime and Mission Systems, said that the delivery of the two helicopters to India has opened a new chapter of cooperation between the US and India.

Significantly, in February 2020, India had finalized the deal for MH-60R (Romeo) helicopter.