DAC approves procurement of 24 multi role helicopters for Indian Navy

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of 24 anti-submarine capable multi role helicopters to enhance the capability of Indian Navy at sea.

• This approval will allow Government to sign contract with US based aviation giant Lockheed Martin for purchasing 24 MH-60R helicopters for Indian Navy.
• This contract will be a direct government-to-government (G2G) deal with United States worth approximately $1.8 billion.
• MH-60R helicopters (or Seahawk multi-mission helicopters) are anti-submarine helicopters.
• Buying them will replace British-built Sea King helicopters, many of which are more than three-decades-old.

Interesting to know:

• Multi role helicopters are an integral part of frontline warships like aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes.
• Availability of MRH with Indian Navy will help to plug existing capability gap.
• For years, Indian Navy has argued that its warships lack any modern anti-submarine helicopters with existing Sea King fleet now being obsolete.
• At present less than 10 Sea King helicopters are operational and their absence has forced Indian Navy to sail its warships without the support of these helicopters.
• Frontline destroyers of Indian Navy have hangars which can house two helicopters of this class but are frequently put to sea without any integral helicopter support.

Questions:

Q1. What is the name of 24 anti-submarine capable multi role helicopters that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved to procure to enhance the capability of Indian Navy at sea?
a. MM-60R
b. MH-60R
c. MI-60R
d. None of the above

Q2. This contract will be a direct government-to-government (G2G) deal with which country?
a. United States
b. England
c. Germany
d. Sweden