A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Romeo. (DEFENCE)
The US State Department has approved the sale of 24 Sikorsky MH-60R Romeo Seahawk helicopters to India.
An April 2 Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification to Congress says the possible sale is valued at an estimated US$2.6bn (A$3.65bn), and includes 30 APS-153(V) Multi-Mode radars, 60 General Electric T700-GE-401C engines, 24 Airborne Low Frequency Systems (ALFS), 30 AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS-A) sensors, 1,000 AN/SSQ-36/53/62 sonobuoys, 10 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles plus training rounds, and other systems.
Also included is a pool of spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, technical and logistics support services, and other services and support.
If ordered, India will become the 5th MH-60R operator after the US, Australia, Denmark and South Korea.