Indian Navy to bolster anti-submarine warfare capabilities with MH 60R helicopter induction
Indian Navy next week when it inducts the aerial marvel, the MH 60R helicopter into its fleet, bolstering the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will commission the newly inducted MH 60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter at the INS Garuda here on March 6, Navy officials said.
The squadron will be commissioned in the Indian Navy as INAS 334, under the Command of Captain M Abhisheik Ram.
The Indian government signed a deal with the United States of America in February 2020, to acquire 24 fourth-generation MH 60R helicopters. Six of them have been delivered to the Indian Navy so far.
Speaking to PTI, Ram said the induction of these helicopters into the Indian Navy will bring about a significant surge in its maritime prowess and capabilities.
Detailing the capabilities of the new chopper, he said that apart from the ASW, it is designed for anti-surface warfare, search and rescue operations during the day and night, medical evacuation and vertical replenishment, among others.
«With this MH 60R, we have filled a major gap in our anti-submarine warfare capability. The anti-submarine capability and the sustenance of the chopper will change the way we are doing our surveillance and it will give us a larger surveillance bubble,» Ram said.
He added that the newly inducted choppers have been integrated with almost all the ships under the Indian Navy and ready for operational deployments.
The MH 60R is also capable of firing torpedoes, missiles and advanced precision kill weapon system
