UPSC Articles
MH-60R helicopters
Part of: Prelims and GS III – Defence and security
Context: The first batch of Indian Navy aircrew successfully completed its training on the MH-60R Multi-Role Helicopters (MRH) at the U.S. Naval Air Station, North Island in San Diego.
- The first batch of three helicopters are expected to arrive in India by June.
Key takeaways
- The crew would be responsible for inducting the versatile ‘Romeo’ into the Indian Navy.
- This will be the first major induction of helicopters by the Navy in decades for deployment on ships.
- The Navy is facing an acute shortage of helicopters on its frontline warships but procurement of new ones has been repeatedly delayed.
- The MH-60Rs are a replacement of the Sea King 42/42A helicopters already decommissioned in the 1990s.
- They are envisaged to operate from the frontline ships and aircraft carriers providing them the critical attributes of flexibility of operation, enhanced surveillance and attacking capability.
- The MH-60R helicopters will provide the Navy enhanced offensive role including anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship strike, specialised maritime operations as well as search and rescue operations.
News Source: TH
