Lockheed Martin will start soon training pilots and support staff of the Indian Navy in the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk after the program was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

India acquired 24 of these naval helicopters in 2019 after the US State Department authorized the purchase. The Multi-Role Helicopter (MRH) program was launched in 2014 in order to seek a replacement of the aging Westland / Sikorsky Sea King which first entered service in 1971.

Specially designed to operate from naval ships, the “Romeo” is an advanced variant capable for AntiSubmarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Command and Control (C2), Special Operations and Search & Rescue (SAR) missions.

The US Navy received the first of 300 MH-60Rs in 2005 to replace the previous generation SH-60B model. The Romeo is also in service with the navies of Australia, Denmark, Greece and Saudi Arabia.