DAC approves procurement of 24 multi role helicopters for Indian Navy

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement 24 anti-submarine capable multi role helicopters to enhance capability of Indian Navy at sea. This approval will allow Government to sign contract US based aviation giant Lockheed Martin for purchasing 24 MH-60R helicopters for Indian Navy.
This contract will be direct government-to-government (G2G) deal with United States worth approximately $1.8 billion. MH-60R helicopters (or Seahawk multi-mission helicopters)are anti-submarine helicopters. Buying them will replace British-built Sea King helicopters, many of which are more than three-decades-old.

Background

Multi role helicopters are integral part of frontline warships like aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes. Availability of MRH with Indian Navy will help to plug existing capability gap. For years, Indian Navy has argued that its warships lack any modern anti-submarine helicopters with existing Sea King fleet now being obsolete. At present less than 10 Sea King helicopters are operational and their absence has forced Indian Navy to sail its warships without support of these helicopters. Frontline destroyers of Indian Navy have hangars which can house two helicopters of this class but frequently put to sea without any integral helicopter support.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2018