India seeks to acquire 24 Seahawks from US
Bilateral defence relationship was top of agenda during recent Modi-Pence meeting
India has sought, from the United States, 24 multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ anti-submarine helicopters for its Navy at an estimated cost of $2 billion (Dh7.34 billion), defence industry sources said on Friday.
India has been in need of these formidable anti-submarine hunter helicopters for more than a decade now.
The deal is expected to be finalised in a few months, informed sources told journalists, days after US Vice-President Mike Pence held a successful meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Singapore on the sidelines of a regional summit.
In recent months, there has been acceleration in defence ties between the two countries, ■ with the Trump administration opening up America’s high-tech military hardware for India’s defence needs.
Bilateral defence relationship was on top of the agenda of the Modi-Pence meeting in Singapore on Wednesday.
The meeting is likely to be followed by a summit-level bilateral between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump in Argentina on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting on November 30 and December 1.
Lockheed Martin’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is considered the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter.
Experts say it is the most capable naval helicopter available today designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers. MH-60 Romeo
Seahawks would add lethal capabilities of the Indian Navy, which experts say is crucial given China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indian Ocean region.