US approves sale of 24 MH-60 Romeo Seahawk helicopters to India for USD 2.4 billion

The US has approved the sale of 24 multi-role MH-60 'Romeo' Seahawk helicopters to India at an estimated cost of USD 2.4 billion, the State Department has said. India has been in need of these formidable anti-submarine hunter helicopters for more than a decade now. Sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship.

The US has approved the sale of 24 multi-role MH-60 'Romeo' Seahawk helicopters to India at an estimated cost of USD 2.4 billion, the State Department has said.

India has been in need of these formidable anti-submarine hunter helicopters for more than a decade now.

Designed for hunting submarines as well as knocking out ships and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea, the Lockheed Martin-built helicopters would replenish India's ageing fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters.

The Trump Administration on Tuesday notified the Congress that it has approved the sale of 24 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, which will provide the Indian defence forces with the capability to perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions.