India-US sign Rs 7,995 cr agreement for Navy's MH-60R helicopter fleet support: Defence Ministry

India signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the United States for sustainment support of Indian Navy’s fleet of MH60R helicopters for five years at an approximate value of Rs 7,995 crore. at an approximate value of Rs 7,995 crore.

"Ministry of Defence has signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the Government of the United States for sustainment support of Indian Navy’s fleet of MH60R helicopters through Follow on Support and Follow on Supply Support for a period of five years at an approximate value of Rs 7,995 crore," the ministry said in a statement on Friday.

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The LOAs were inked under the Foreign Military Sales programme of US, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi.

Sustainment Support is a comprehensive package which includes provisioning of spares, support equipment, product support, training and technical support, repair & replenishment of components and setting up of ‘Intermediate’ level component repairs & Periodic Maintenance Inspection facilities in India, the statement explained.

As a boost to the government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, indigenous development of these facilities will ensure capability build-up in the long run and reduced dependence on the US Government. This step would further lead to indigenous product and services development through MSMEs and other Indian firms.

The sustainment support would significantly enhance the operational availability and maintainability of all-weather capable MH60R helicopters. They also have Anti-Submarine Warfare capability, acquired through the US government. In addition, the signed support would enable the operation of these helicopters from dispersed locations as well as ships, ensuring optimal performance during all their primary and secondary missions/roles, the Defence Ministry said.