Thursday, December 11, 2025
India Signs Massive Deal For Anti-Sub MH-60R, A Helicopter That U.S. Just Fished Out From China’s Backyard
By Sakshi Tiwari
-December 11, 2025
The United States recently fished out the MH-60 R (Romeo) and Super Hornet from the South China Sea, where the aircraft had crashed, in an attempt to prevent China from accessing the sensitive technology onboard these systems.
Interestingly, the same chopper is used by the Indian Navy for ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare).
India signed a contract for 24 helicopters from the US under the Foreign Military Sales program in February 2020, with deliveries starting in 2021. Of these, about 15 have been inducted as of December 2025. The first squadron of these choppers, called INAS 334, was commissioned on March 6, 2024, at INS Garuda in Kochi.
Earlier this month, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a $946 million sustainment deal for the 24 helicopters.
“Great news in our defense relationship with India. India’s Ministry of Defense signed a sustainment package for its 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, developed by Lockheed Martin. This 946 million dollar package will enhance the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities, build interoperability with the US and regional partners, and make both our nations safer and more prosperous,” the US State Department wrote on X at the time.
These helicopters support anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions, among others.
The MH-60R ‘Romeo’ is the US Navy’s primary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter, specially designed for all aspects of land or maritime operations from any aviation ship or air-capable vessel.
The chopper has demonstrated unmatched multi-mission capabilities since achieving full operational capability in 2010, achieving the highest mission-capable rates of any maritime helicopter.
-December 11, 2025
The United States recently fished out the MH-60 R (Romeo) and Super Hornet from the South China Sea, where the aircraft had crashed, in an attempt to prevent China from accessing the sensitive technology onboard these systems.
Interestingly, the same chopper is used by the Indian Navy for ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare).
India signed a contract for 24 helicopters from the US under the Foreign Military Sales program in February 2020, with deliveries starting in 2021. Of these, about 15 have been inducted as of December 2025. The first squadron of these choppers, called INAS 334, was commissioned on March 6, 2024, at INS Garuda in Kochi.
Earlier this month, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a $946 million sustainment deal for the 24 helicopters.
“Great news in our defense relationship with India. India’s Ministry of Defense signed a sustainment package for its 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, developed by Lockheed Martin. This 946 million dollar package will enhance the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities, build interoperability with the US and regional partners, and make both our nations safer and more prosperous,” the US State Department wrote on X at the time.
These helicopters support anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions, among others.
The MH-60R ‘Romeo’ is the US Navy’s primary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter, specially designed for all aspects of land or maritime operations from any aviation ship or air-capable vessel.
The chopper has demonstrated unmatched multi-mission capabilities since achieving full operational capability in 2010, achieving the highest mission-capable rates of any maritime helicopter.
Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter of the Indian Navy – Wikimedia Commons
The US rushed to pull out the wreckage of this chopper to ensure that China does not get to it first and access the state-of-the-art technology, including the AN/AQS-22 ALFS low-frequency dipping sonar, which is the exact system China has repeatedly tried (and failed) to fully replicate for its Z-20F naval helicopter, as recently reported by the EurAsian Times.
One of the main drivers for India’s acquisition of these choppers was the obsolescence of British-origin Sea King Mk. 42B/C helicopters in the face of a sustained security threat from China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Notably, the Chinese submarine presence in the eastern Indian Ocean and its approaches to the Malacca Straits worry India. China is also arming the Pakistani Navy with AIP-equipped, sophisticated Hangor-class submarines. Therefore, MH-60R helicopters are extremely critical to the Indian Navy.
Indian Naval Aviation Arm Is Barely Indian
India is aggressively pursuing indigenisation of its military equipment and capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative as part of the broader “Make in India” campaign.
This shift in strategy aims to strengthen national security amid geopolitical unrest, reduce reliance on imports, and position India as a major hub for defense production.
This strategy is particularly significant for reducing vulnerability to foreign sanctions, delays, or geopolitical leverage. Moreover, it is meant to ensure that the Indian Armed Forces can deploy equipment without any political restrictions and upgrade it with full autonomy—a key requirement for the Indian Armed Forces.
However, the Indian naval aviation arm is currently almost entirely composed of equipment imported from friendly countries like Russia, the UK, the US, France, and Israel.
The Indian Navy’s most decisive intelligence and anti-submarine warfare platforms are now overwhelmingly American. In addition to the MH-60R, the Indian Navy has acquired the P-8I Poseidon and the MQ-9B Sea Guardian.
India procured P-8I with a special focus on monitoring the rising military activity of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the region.
The P-8 is a versatile maritime patrol aircraft that excels in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as search-and-rescue missions.
The P-8I can also be used for coastal patrolling. It has a maximum range of about 7,500 kilometres and an endurance of 10 hours, enabling it to conduct long-range patrols over the IOR.
The US rushed to pull out the wreckage of this chopper to ensure that China does not get to it first and access the state-of-the-art technology, including the AN/AQS-22 ALFS low-frequency dipping sonar, which is the exact system China has repeatedly tried (and failed) to fully replicate for its Z-20F naval helicopter, as recently reported by the EurAsian Times.
One of the main drivers for India’s acquisition of these choppers was the obsolescence of British-origin Sea King Mk. 42B/C helicopters in the face of a sustained security threat from China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Notably, the Chinese submarine presence in the eastern Indian Ocean and its approaches to the Malacca Straits worry India. China is also arming the Pakistani Navy with AIP-equipped, sophisticated Hangor-class submarines. Therefore, MH-60R helicopters are extremely critical to the Indian Navy.
Indian Naval Aviation Arm Is Barely Indian
India is aggressively pursuing indigenisation of its military equipment and capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative as part of the broader “Make in India” campaign.
This shift in strategy aims to strengthen national security amid geopolitical unrest, reduce reliance on imports, and position India as a major hub for defense production.
This strategy is particularly significant for reducing vulnerability to foreign sanctions, delays, or geopolitical leverage. Moreover, it is meant to ensure that the Indian Armed Forces can deploy equipment without any political restrictions and upgrade it with full autonomy—a key requirement for the Indian Armed Forces.
However, the Indian naval aviation arm is currently almost entirely composed of equipment imported from friendly countries like Russia, the UK, the US, France, and Israel.
The Indian Navy’s most decisive intelligence and anti-submarine warfare platforms are now overwhelmingly American. In addition to the MH-60R, the Indian Navy has acquired the P-8I Poseidon and the MQ-9B Sea Guardian.
India procured P-8I with a special focus on monitoring the rising military activity of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the region.
The P-8 is a versatile maritime patrol aircraft that excels in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as search-and-rescue missions.
The P-8I can also be used for coastal patrolling. It has a maximum range of about 7,500 kilometres and an endurance of 10 hours, enabling it to conduct long-range patrols over the IOR.
Indian Navy P-8I – Wikimedia Commons
Equipped with the APY-10 radar, ALFS-derived acoustics, Harpoon missiles, and Mk54 torpedoes, the P-8I Poseidon provides unmatched wide-area ASW capability across the Indian Ocean.
The aircraft have also flown high-altitude ISR (Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance) sorties over eastern Ladakh during the 2020–2022 China standoff, and are capable of shadowing Chinese nuclear submarines near crucial chokepoints. In fact, India is currently finalising a deal for six more P-8Is.
Earlier, the Indian Navy operated the UH-3H Sea King utility helicopters, which were de-inducted on June 28, 2024, after 17 years of service. These choppers were procured to serve as a stopgap until indigenous alternatives like the HAL Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk.III materialized.
In addition, the Indian Navy operates two leased MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a maritime variant of the popular MQ-9 Reaper. These high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) drones bridge vital gaps in maritime domain awareness by continuously providing ISR over the IOR.
The drones were leased in November 2020 through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The lease was valid for two years but has been extended multiple times.
Additionally, in October 2024, India approved the purchase of 31 MQ-9Bs, including 16 SkyGuardians for the Army and the IAF, and 15 SeaGuardians for the Navy.
Notably, the Indian Navy’s main and only carrier-capable aircraft at this point is the MiG-29K or MiG-29KUB acquired from Russia.
The aircraft have also flown high-altitude ISR (Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance) sorties over eastern Ladakh during the 2020–2022 China standoff, and are capable of shadowing Chinese nuclear submarines near crucial chokepoints. In fact, India is currently finalising a deal for six more P-8Is.
Earlier, the Indian Navy operated the UH-3H Sea King utility helicopters, which were de-inducted on June 28, 2024, after 17 years of service. These choppers were procured to serve as a stopgap until indigenous alternatives like the HAL Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk.III materialized.
In addition, the Indian Navy operates two leased MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a maritime variant of the popular MQ-9 Reaper. These high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) drones bridge vital gaps in maritime domain awareness by continuously providing ISR over the IOR.
The drones were leased in November 2020 through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The lease was valid for two years but has been extended multiple times.
Additionally, in October 2024, India approved the purchase of 31 MQ-9Bs, including 16 SkyGuardians for the Army and the IAF, and 15 SeaGuardians for the Navy.
Notably, the Indian Navy’s main and only carrier-capable aircraft at this point is the MiG-29K or MiG-29KUB acquired from Russia.
Indian Navy MiG-29K-Wikimedia Commons
The United States had aggressively pitched the F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet to India’s carrier air wing, but in 2024, New Delhi selected the French Rafale-M instead, signing a contract for 26 aircraft to replace the troubled, aging MiG-29Ks.
Despite the widespread adoption of American ISR platforms and helicopters across India’s armed forces, New Delhi remains deeply reluctant to acquire a US-origin fighter jet, mainly due to historical mistrust.
Moreover, US fighters come with stringent end-use restrictions and oversight mechanisms that many in New Delhi see as an unacceptable infringement on operational sovereignty.
In addition to the MiG-29K, the Indian Navy operates Russian-origin Ka-28 and Ka-31 helicopters, which were acquired many years ago.
The Ka-28 is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. These coaxial-rotor, shipborne platforms form a critical component of the Navy’s organic airborne ASW capability, primarily with squadron INAS 333 “Trishul” at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, the Ka-31 choppers are airborne early warning (AEW) and control helicopters, primarily assigned to INAS 339 “Raptors” at INS Shikra, Mumbai.
The United Kingdom has also been a major source of imports for the Indian Navy. The service operates the BAE Systems Hawk Mk.132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs).
Additionally, the Navy operates the popular Chetak helicopter, which is a French-origin Light Utility helicopter, using it as a versatile workhorse for Search & Rescue (SAR), communications, utility, and light transport roles from both ships and shore bases.
The United States had aggressively pitched the F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet to India’s carrier air wing, but in 2024, New Delhi selected the French Rafale-M instead, signing a contract for 26 aircraft to replace the troubled, aging MiG-29Ks.
Despite the widespread adoption of American ISR platforms and helicopters across India’s armed forces, New Delhi remains deeply reluctant to acquire a US-origin fighter jet, mainly due to historical mistrust.
Moreover, US fighters come with stringent end-use restrictions and oversight mechanisms that many in New Delhi see as an unacceptable infringement on operational sovereignty.
In addition to the MiG-29K, the Indian Navy operates Russian-origin Ka-28 and Ka-31 helicopters, which were acquired many years ago.
The Ka-28 is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. These coaxial-rotor, shipborne platforms form a critical component of the Navy’s organic airborne ASW capability, primarily with squadron INAS 333 “Trishul” at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, the Ka-31 choppers are airborne early warning (AEW) and control helicopters, primarily assigned to INAS 339 “Raptors” at INS Shikra, Mumbai.
The United Kingdom has also been a major source of imports for the Indian Navy. The service operates the BAE Systems Hawk Mk.132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs).
Additionally, the Navy operates the popular Chetak helicopter, which is a French-origin Light Utility helicopter, using it as a versatile workhorse for Search & Rescue (SAR), communications, utility, and light transport roles from both ships and shore bases.
File: Heron drone
The Indian Navy also operates a limited but growing fleet of Israeli-origin unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for ISR missions in the Indian Ocean.
Key systems include the Heron-2 with a 45-hour endurance, a 35,000 ft service ceiling, and a 1,000+ kilometre range without refuelling, which is critical for sustained monitoring over extended periods and distances. It is believed to have performed “very well” during India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.
The service has also started operating the Hermes 900 drone, locally designated as the Drishti 10 Starliner, manufactured by Adani Defence & Aerospace under license from Israel’s Elbit Systems.
It serves as a key Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV for maritime surveillance, with units based in Porbandar to support extensive naval operations. It is an advanced ISR platform with 36 hours of endurance and a payload capacity of 450 kilograms.
The Indian Navy also operates a limited but growing fleet of Israeli-origin unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for ISR missions in the Indian Ocean.
Key systems include the Heron-2 with a 45-hour endurance, a 35,000 ft service ceiling, and a 1,000+ kilometre range without refuelling, which is critical for sustained monitoring over extended periods and distances. It is believed to have performed “very well” during India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.
The service has also started operating the Hermes 900 drone, locally designated as the Drishti 10 Starliner, manufactured by Adani Defence & Aerospace under license from Israel’s Elbit Systems.
It serves as a key Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV for maritime surveillance, with units based in Porbandar to support extensive naval operations. It is an advanced ISR platform with 36 hours of endurance and a payload capacity of 450 kilograms.
The Indian Navy also operates the ALH Dhruv utility helicopters, a troubled platform that has been in many tragic crashes through the years.
Furthermore, there are plans to develop the TEDBF (Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter) for future carrier ops, but analysts have already flagged this as wasteful spending, given that it would be a 4.5th-generation platform similar to the Rafale-Marine.
The Indian Navy’s naval arm is, therefore, far from being truly Indian.Contact the author at sakshi.tiwari13 (at) outlook.com
