Indian and U.S. officials at the signing of the Letters of Offer and Acceptance for sustainment support of Indian Navy’s fleet of MH60R helicopters | Photo: Indian Ministry of Defence
India’s Ministry of Defence has signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the United States government for sustainment support of the Indian Navy’s MH-60R helicopter fleet. The agreements, valued at approximately ₹7,995 crore, were concluded on 28 November in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The LOAs were signed under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and cover a five-year support period.
According to the Ministry, the sustainment package includes spares, support equipment, product support, training, technical assistance, repair and replenishment of components, and the establishment of intermediate-level repair and periodic maintenance inspection facilities in India. The announcement stated that developing these capabilities domestically would “ensure capability build-up in the long run and reduced dependence on the US Government,” and contribute to work by Indian industry, including micro, small and medium enterprises.
The Ministry said the support arrangements are intended to improve the operational availability and maintainability of the MH-60R helicopters, which have anti-submarine warfare capability and operate from both shore bases and Indian Navy ships. The sustainment measures aim to support the helicopters across their range of primary and secondary mission roles.
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