India-US Defence Deal: The Governments of India and the US have taken an essential step ahead in defence cooperation, as India’s Ministry of Defence signed a significant sustainment package deal for its fleet of 24 MH-60R “Seahawk” naval helicopters, constructed by Lockheed Martin. The contract, price roughly Rs 7,995 crore (about $946 million), is meant to make sure long-term operational readiness of the helicopters, deepen interoperability between the 2 navies, and bolster maritime safety within the Indian Ocean area.
What the Deal Covers
Underneath the settlement — formalised by way of Letters of Supply & Acceptance below the US International Navy Gross sales framework — India will obtain complete sustainment assist for its MH-60R fleet over the following 5 years. This consists of provide of spare components, upkeep tools, technical assist, coaching for Indian personnel, and institution of intermediate-level restore and upkeep amenities inside India.
“Nice information in our protection relationship with India. India’s Ministry of Protection signed a sustainment package deal for its 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, developed by Lockheed Martin. This $946 million greenback package deal will improve the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities, construct interoperability with the U.S. and regional companions, and makes each our nations safer and extra affluent,” mentioned US State Division on X.
Nice information in our protection relationship with India. India’s Ministry of Protection signed a sustainment package deal for its 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, developed by Lockheed Martin. This $946 million greenback package deal will improve the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities, construct…
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) December 3, 2025
Based on specialists, constructing such infrastructure domestically aligns with the nationwide precedence of self-reliance. It additionally opens alternatives for native companies and MSMEs to contribute — probably decreasing long-term dependency on overseas upkeep assist.
MH-60R — Key Asset For Navy
The MH-60R Seahawk is a state-of-the-art, all-weather, multi-role maritime helicopter designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface missions (ASuW), search-and-rescue (SAR), surveillance, and ship-borne operations. India procured 24 of those machines below a 2020 International Navy Gross sales settlement; as of now, a portion of them — round 15 — have already been inducted into service.
Given its superior sensors, weapon-systems compatibility, and flexibility, the MH-60R fleet is central to the Indian Navy’s plan to modernise maritime capabilities and develop its attain throughout India’s huge shoreline and island territories.
Sustainment Package deal
With this sustainment assist in place, the Indian Navy expects to considerably enhance plane availability, upkeep turnaround, and long-term readiness. The deal ensures that helicopters will be serviced and launched each from land bases and warships, enabling versatile deployment relying on mission wants — whether or not it’s ASW patrols, surveillance, humanitarian missions or carrier-based operations.
Furthermore, the association ensures that India builds indigenous upkeep infrastructure, which strengthens self-sufficiency and helps combine the helicopters extra deeply into Indian defence operations — decreasing long-term reliance on overseas restore and maintenance.
Strategic Significance
This settlement comes at a second when the geopolitical significance of the Indian Ocean area is rising sharply. The deal not solely underscores the rising defence partnership between India and the US, but additionally alerts their shared curiosity in regional stability, maritime safety, and interoperability. With these helicopters operational and well-supported, India enhances its functionality to counter undersea threats, defend sea-lanes, and contribute to collective safety with companions.
What Occurs Subsequent
With the LOAs signed, focus will shift to establishing the in-country upkeep, overhaul and inspection infrastructure, conducting coaching of Indian technical workers, and integrating assist logistics for the total MH-60R fleet. As soon as totally operational, this assist package deal will assist make sure that the Seahawk helicopters stay mission-ready, versatile, and able to working from each land bases and naval platforms throughout India’s shoreline and islands.