May 27, 2023: Advanced Capabilities of the MH-60R Helicopters of the Indian Navy Strengthen Maritime Defense. Here is everything you need to know about the Navy's aerial power!
The MH-60R, the Indian Navy's newest helicopter, was recently received and is meant to improve the Indian Navy's capabilities in fighting submarines, surface threats, and conducting surveillance.
The helicopter successfully landed and flew from a battleship in the Arabian Sea on 19th May.
A contract for 24 helicopters was secured three years ago in order to upgrade the navy's old fleet of naval helicopters. The navy has already received three MH-60R helicopters as part of this agreement.
These helicopters are made by the American corporation Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky and are multi-role, or able to carry out a variety of jobs.
As per the Lockheed Martin website, the MH-60R aircraft is built on four decades of SEAHAWK learning and knowledge and has:
- Advanced digital sensors, electronic support measures system, electro-optical/infrared camera1, datalinks, aircraft survivability systems, dipping sonar and sonobuoys.
- The fully-integrated mission system processes sensor data to build a complete situational picture of the ocean surface and subsea domain.
- The crew can track, target and engage ships or submarines effectively and efficiently.
- Weapons include torpedoes, air-to-ground missiles and rockets, and crew served guns.
electro-optical/infrared camera1 : EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infra-Red) systems are imaging systems used for military or law enforcement applications . These include both both visible and infrared sensors to provide total situational awareness both day and night and in low light conditions.
The helicopter, also known as Romeo, touched down and lifted off from the Indian-built warship INS Kolkata.
The Indian Navy in a statement claimed that by mounting this chopper on its warships, the navy will be better able to handle threats from the sea, keep an eye on what happens there, and conduct surveillance operations. They continued by saying that this success will greatly aid the navy in its battle against submarines.
All of the helicopters are expected to be delivered to the Navy during the next two years as part of a larger delivery plan. The navy received its initial two MH-60R helicopters at Kochi last year.
Due to the variety of uses they will have, these helicopters are crucial to the navy. They will be the primary helicopters utilised for multi-role operations, which entails that these helicopters may carry out many duties or responsibilities as necessary, depending on the circumstances.
They will also be used for anti-ship warfare, which involves fighting against enemy ships, as well as anti-submarine warfare, which refers to operations aimed at locating and countering submarines. These helicopters will also help with airborne early warning, which is the ability to identify and alert about potential dangers from the air.
For their operations, the MH-60R helicopters are supplied with a variety of weapons. They are equipped with MK 54 submarines, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and modern precision weapons.
The helicopters can attack targets quite precisely and successfully due to their weaponry.
The Navy began the process of purchasing these helicopters more than 17 years ago since they are crucial to their missions.
