India is nearing approval of a request to purchase US weaponry for its MH-60 Romeo multirole helicopters, including Hellfire missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes. Under a fast-track agreement for over USD 2 billion in 2020, the Indian Navy contracted for 24 of these helicopters, and they must be armed in order to conduct missions.
Defence officials told ANI here that the proposal for the purchase of the MH-60 Romeo helicopter’s weapon package is at an advanced stage in the Defence Ministry and that talks are also ongoing with the American administration for the USD 300 million deal to be concluded under the Foreign Military Sales route.
US forces have deployed the precision-guided Hellfire missile on high-value targets, including significant Islamic militants like Al Jawahiri. The MK 54 lightweight torpedoes are the main anti-submarine warfare weapon employed by US surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters.
It has already been included into the P-8I anti-submarine and surveillance aircraft of the Indian Navy.
In order to speed up the process, India and the US inked a fast-track agreement to purchase 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin for over Rs16,000 crore in 2020.
The 24 MH-60 Romeos would be armed with missiles, torpedoes, and other precision-guided weapons in addition to having night vision and multi-mode radars.
The Sea King helicopters, which would shortly be retired from service, would be replaced by MH-60s.
From frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, the MH-69 helicopters can fly.
The helicopters are built to perform anti-ship, anti-submarine, and sea-based search-and-rescue missions.
