US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs have created tensions across many nations. Several nations have conducted trade with the US for decades. They have voiced their concerns regarding tariffs being imposed on them, too, as evident in the case of India. As experts have begun to warn that America’s increased tariffs could possibly cause a large ripple effect through the global economy, the issue of tariffs has quickly developed into one of the most contentious subjects in the field of economics and international trade.
In recent months, India-US relations have taken a turn for the worse. Recently, US President Donald Trump imposed whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, including 25 per cent levies for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. Lately, Trump has been praising Pakistan’s top leaders as “good leaders, good guys.” It is to be noted that India and Pakistan were engaged in a war, which later resulted in Operation Sindoor. Despite these escalating tensions, Trump has signed a significant deal with India. What is this deal all about? Check details here.
It seems India and the US relations are going to improve as the United States announced a significant step in defence cooperation with India after New Delhi signed a sustainment package for the Indian Navy’s MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter fleet. According to the news agency ANI report, India’s Ministry of Defence has approved a contract worth approximately Rs 7,995 crore (about USD 946 million) to support 24 MH-60R helicopters produced by Lockheed Martin.
Sharing a post on X(previously Twitter), the US State Department said, “Great news in our defence relationship with India. India’s Ministry of Defence 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 U.S. and regional partners, and make both our nations safer and more prosperous.”
The Ministry of Defence has established a five-year agreement with the US, in which the US will assist the Indian Navy in the design, production, and maintenance of 24 MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter systems for its operations and readiness for future missions. Both nations signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for this agreement, which will be valid for a period of 2025 to 2030.
The signing of the contract came amid some strain in ties between the two countries after US President Donald Trump slapped a whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in late August.
The agreement that exists between the United States and India is an example of a “Follow-On Support” contract. Through this contract, the United States will provide both spare parts and support equipment for the Seahawk helicopters, as well as training for pilots and crew members and technical support.
Lockheed Martin produces the 24 MH-60R helicopters. The agreement aims to improve long-term operational readiness, strengthen interoperability with US forces, and enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. These helicopters are capable of performing under all types of weather conditions. The United States provided India with these helicopters as part of the agreements which were entered into by both countries in 2020.
Speaking about its features, the MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-role maritime helicopter capable of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface missions, search-and-rescue, surveillance and ship-based operations. The sustainment package is expected to increase helicopter availability and reduce maintenance time, enabling operations from coastal facilities and naval ships. It will also help India establish local maintenance infrastructure, reduce reliance on foreign service providers, and integrate helicopters more effectively into maritime operations. It is equipped with long-range sensors and compatible weapons, the MH-60R enhances India’s ability to detect submarines, protect sea lanes, support carrier groups and respond to maritime threats.
It was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2021, with deliveries beginning, and the first squadron, INAS 334, was commissioned at INS Garuda in Kochi.For surface missions, the helicopter can carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, lightweight torpedoes, and machine guns, supported by advanced radar and electro-optical systems to identify and engage hostile surface targets. Its anti-submarine warfare systems include dipping sonar, sonobuoys, multi-mode radar and the Mk-54 torpedo.Often called the “Romeo,” the MH-60R Seahawk is used by the US Navy and partner nations worldwide, serving as a versatile platform for surveillance, search-and-rescue, medical evacuation and warship-based missions.
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