Lockheed Martin Awarded India’s MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters' Production Contract

Production of MH-60R Seahawk maritime aircraft for the Indian Navy got underway following the award of a $904,800,000 contract to Lockheed Martin to deliver 21 MH-60Rs to the government of India and three for the US Navy.

“We are pleased the government of India has selected the U.S. Navy's MH-60R. We’re confident that this aircraft will provide unparalleled capability to the Indian Navy for years to come,” said Capt. Todd Evans, US Navy MH-60 Program manager.

The US Department of Defense announced the contract award on May 14. Work will be performed at Owego, New York (52%); Stratford, Connecticut (40%); and Troy, Alabama (8%), and is expected to be complete by September 2024.

Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $791,700,000 will be obligated at time of award which is the value of the Indian contract. The schedule of delivery of the 21 helicopters is not known but the contract award runs till 2024. Deliveries could start before that date as per agreed manufacturing schedule.

The US State Department had approved of the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters sale to India in April 2019. India is buying the helicopters for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.

India had sought two dozen MH-60R helicopters for $2.4 billion. So it is possible that the remaining three helicopters may be delivered in another lot.