KOCHI: Two more MH 60 ‘Romeo’ (MH 60R) helicopters, which were purchased for the Indian Navy from the United States, have reached Kochi giving a major boost to the ongoing modernization of the aviation fleet of the navy.
The helicopters arrived at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in a Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF) on Thursday. They will be shifted to the naval air station INS Garuda in the Kochi naval base.
The induction of state-of-the-art mission capable helicopters, procured from US defence major Lockheed Martin, will strengthen the anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities of the navy.
MH 60R is considered one of the most advanced maritime helicopters in the world. It is an all-weather helicopter designed to support multiple missions with advanced avionics/sensors. The induction of these helicopters would further enhance the Indian Navy’s three dimensional capabilities.
The highly-capable naval helicopter is designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers. It is learnt that India will operate these choppers -armed with precision rockets, torpedoes and missiles- on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) also, which was commissioned in August 2022.
Three helicopters, which were delivered last year, are currently at INS Garuda and they have already started the trials including the landing on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
The helicopters arrived at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in a Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF) on Thursday. They will be shifted to the naval air station INS Garuda in the Kochi naval base.
The induction of state-of-the-art mission capable helicopters, procured from US defence major Lockheed Martin, will strengthen the anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities of the navy.
MH 60R is considered one of the most advanced maritime helicopters in the world. It is an all-weather helicopter designed to support multiple missions with advanced avionics/sensors. The induction of these helicopters would further enhance the Indian Navy’s three dimensional capabilities.
The highly-capable naval helicopter is designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers. It is learnt that India will operate these choppers -armed with precision rockets, torpedoes and missiles- on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) also, which was commissioned in August 2022.
Three helicopters, which were delivered last year, are currently at INS Garuda and they have already started the trials including the landing on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
