The ceremony is part of an ongoing initiative that also includes comprehensive training for Indian aircrew and maintainers on operating and sustaining the MH-60R.
This bilateral initiative serves to strengthen the U.S. and India’s enduring friendship and enhance our combined anti-submarine and undersea domain capability.
Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu spoke at the ceremony and stated “The induction of these all-weather multi-role helicopters is an important milestone in our bilateral defense ties.”
During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Ravneet Singh, Indian Navy Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, and Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, Commander, Naval Air Forces, signed the U.S.-India MH-60R commemorative plaque, which all Indian Navy personnel will also sign upon completion of the MH-60R training program.
“For the Indian Navy, it’s really a proud moment,” said Vice Adm. Singh. “The induction of the MH-60 helicopter into the Indian Navy is a symbol of the ever-growing global strategic partnership of our two countries and reinforces the common ideologies of our great nations.”
The primary mission of the MH-60R is surface and subsurface warfare. The helicopter is also capable of search and rescue operations, vertical replenishments, personnel transport, and medical evacuation operations.
“The MH-60R is a cutting-edge multi-mission aircraft that will significantly enhance our Navy-to-Navy cooperation and strengthen our combined anti-submarine and undersea domain capabilities on the open seas,” said Vice Adm. Whitesell. “As was true for the U.S. Navy, these aircraft and their operators will immediately strengthen their armed forces to deter, counter, and defend against any threat to the international rules-based order that we mutually recognize as critically important to global security.”
Over the coming years, the U.S. Navy will help prepare Indian Navy aviators, sensor operators, and maintainers to operate and maintain the MH-60R. Members of the Indian Navy arrived in the United States last month to begin training on the MH-60R; maintenance personnel are currently studying maintenance requirements and procedures at NAS North Island, while the first Indian Navy MH-60R pilots and sensor operators have completed the Naval Aviation Survival Training Program at NAS Pensacola and begun aircrew training with the “Seahawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41.
US and Indian Navies Commemorate India’s First MH-60R
India Ministry of Defence, July 18, 2021 - Indian Navy accepted the first two of its MH-60R Multi Role Helicopters (MRH) from US Navy in a ceremony held at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego on 16 Jul 21.
The ceremony marked the formal transfer of these helicopters from US Navy to Indian Navy, which were accepted by His Excellency Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to USA.
The ceremony also witnessed exchange of helicopter documents between Vice Adm Kenneth Whitesell, Commander Naval Air Forces, US Navy and Vice Adm Ravneet Singh, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS), Indian Navy.
MH-60R helicopters manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, USA is an all-weather helicopter designed to support multiple missions with state of the art avionics/ sensors. 24 of these helicopters are being procured under Foreign Military Sales from the US Government.
The helicopters would also be modified with several India Unique Equipment and weapons.
The induction of these MRH would further enhance Indian Navy’s three dimensional capabilities. In order to exploit these potent helicopters, the first batch of Indian crew is presently undergoing training in USA.
Indian crews training at CNATTU
US Navy, July 3, 2021 - CORONADO, CA - Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island (CNATTU NI) staff and Indian Sailors are set to begin the first MH-60R Seahawk helicopter training courses between the two naval military branches.
The first 14 Indian Sailors were introduced to the command and began indoctrination June 21.
The courses the Indian Sailors will study are designed for aviation machinist mates (AD), aviation ordnanceman (AO), aviation structural mechanic (AM), aviation electrician’s mate (AE) and aviation electronics technician (AT) rates within the U.S. Navy. The courses have been tailored to meet requirements for aircraft and systems purchased by the Indian Navy.
Behind the scenes, CNATTU NI leaders have diligently worked on preparing for the launch of the new project for the Indian Navy. Chief Warrant Officer 5 John Cowan, Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Chase Anderson, Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Amy Nichols, Chief Aviation Electrician's Mate Ezekial Zacharias, and Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Jerome Jimenez were instrumental in the command’s planning, curriculum development, material requisition, and managing of subsequent projects. The efforts of all leaders and staff involved ensured the smooth transition of Indian Sailors into the command, as well as material readiness to begin training on time.
The civilian instructors, who will be leading the training, arrived in March to work completion of prerequisites prior to the launch of courses. The instructors are led by Mathias Brooks, whom also instructs the AE course; accompanied by Mike Jacildo (AT), Froilan Sarmiento (AD), Jason Lyle (AO), and Mike Barry (AM) courses respectively. CNATTU NI takes great pride in welcoming its newest civilian instructors and Indian Sailors to the command.
“Opening a new door to opportunities and helping align global partnerships is pretty awesome,” Cmdr. Kent Davis, CNATTU NI commanding officer, said. “I am so proud of this team!”
Acceptance ceremony at NAS North Island, California
Indian Navy personnel started training courses at US Navy North Island base
NAS North Island See also |
MH-60R Seahawk in
Bharatiya Nau Sena 
