US defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin shared a photo of the MH-60 Romeo helicopter in Indian colors on Friday. The helicopter will be listed in the Indian Navy.
“This #NavyDay, we are proud to share the first look at the # IndianNavy # MH60R in all its glory. #RomeoForIndia, ”Lockheed Martin posted on Twitter.
India had signed a $ 2.6 billion deal in 2019 to purchase 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin.
Designed to hunt submarines, as well as shoot down ships and conduct search and rescue operations at sea, the helicopters built by Lockheed Martin would resupply India’s aging fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters.
Multi-mission helicopters can detect, track and attack submarines and surface ships.
On Friday, the United States also approved the sale of $ 90 million worth of military equipment and services to India in support of its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft.
The Pentagon said the proposed sale ensures that the previously acquired aircraft will function effectively to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army and Navy transportation requirements, local and international humanitarian assistance and regional relief. in disaster.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the strategic relationship between the United States and India and enhance the security of a “primary defense partner,” according to the United States Security Cooperation Agency. Defense (DSCA) of the Department of Defense.
The DSCA also said that India remains an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.
India and the United States have been strengthening defense ties in recent years with joint military exercises, exchanges and exchanges. They held their first 2 + 2 ministerial in September 2018, a simultaneous meeting for their defense and foreign ministers. They ended years of discussions and exchanges and signed two enabling agreements LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) and COMCASA (Communications Security and Compatibility Agreement) in recent years to improve interoperability between their armies.
In 2016, the US designated India as a “Senior Defense Partner” with the intention of raising defense technology and trade exchange to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners.
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