New Delhi. After almost a decade long wait, the Indian Navy is likely to get deadly anti-submarine helicopter with the announcement of purchase of 24 Lockheed Martin MH-60R to be made at the upcoming 2+ 2 Indo-U.S. Ministerial Dialogue beginning December 18 in Washington.
These helicopters will help in countering China in the Indian Ocean region replacing the Sea King Mk 42B/C and Ka-28 helicopters currently in service.
The two sides are also expected to finally sign the Industrial Security Annex (ISA).
“Announcement related to the anti-submarine helicopters for the Indian Navy is expected and the ISA will be signed,” sources said.
Both sides are also working on the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) -Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which will help both sides to identify and develop cooperative projects. Set up in 2012, DTTI is an initiative which is for the co-production and co-development of military systems. However, no project to date has been done under this.
The two sides are also expected to discuss about free and open Indo-Pacific region which is already going strong.
During the bilateral discussions between the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Mark Esper, besides security and fight against terrorism, and joint and multilateral engagements, both sides will talk about the defence deals in the pipeline. Recently the Trump administration has given approval for thirteen MK 45 5 inch/62 calibre (MOD 4) naval guns for the Indian Navy and also for 3,500 D349 Projectile, 5”/54 MK 92 MOD 1 ammunition. These guns are for the P15A and P17A ships.
Both sides will also talk about the modalities to be made to the COMCASA agreement which was inked last year before it becomes operational.
