Amidst tensions with Pakistan, India cleared to buy 24 Seahawk helicopters

[Fenrir]

Looks like they'll be armed with Norway's Naval Strike Missile! So far India has order captive training rounds and simulators, but not NSM itself. But that's likely to change real soon.

NSM replaced Penguin as the MH-60's primary anti-ship missile.

Norway, Japan, Australia, Germany, Poland, Malaysia, the United States and now India. The list keeps on growing. Not bad for little Norway, eh?

Cool thing about NSM: due to its unique chemical makeup, the warhead of an NSM missile is as energetic as that of a Harpoon missile despite being half the size.

India alreasy has mi26 which is most powerful helicopter of world so this will not make things change for them

When's the last time you saw an Mi-26 take off from a frigate and hunt submarines?

 

[Quwa]

This purchase is being lauded in Pakistan but i was wondering what are the alternatives to this chopper (if Pak was to purchase them)? Who makes them and how good are they compared to it?
@Quwa @messiach @Oscar

At IDEAS Leonardo was pitching the NH90 and AW101 for the PN's multi-role helicopter needs. But as with a lot of things, the main constraint is funding. However, as the PN has a comparatively small need (under 12 helicopters), the absolute cost is low enough ($600-700 m) to sustain over a financing plan.

 

[Fenrir]

The MH-60 is primarily a sub-hunter, but India's MH-60s will come with one of the most potent anti-ship missiles around today; Norway's NSM.

200+km range, stealth-optimized body and no active seeker making detection extremely difficult, a warhead with blast effects similar to Harpoon despite being half the size, it's an impressive capability for a lowly helicopter.

The MH-60's standard surface attack weapon is Hellfire.

Which partially replaced Penguin.

NSM is a extreme step up from Hellfire and gives the IN a potent anti-shipping capability.

 

[pahadi]

I am happy that Navy is finally going to get new helicopters, not a big fan of Chetaks...

 

[Hassannn85]

It will be very difficult for our submarine (only 1 at present afaik) to evade 24 Romeos!

Good investment nonetheless.

 

[rockstarIN]

I am happy that Navy is finally going to get new helicopters, not a big fan of Chetaks...

They are replacing the seaking currently in the fleet

 

[HariSinghNalwa]

The MH-60 is primarily a sub-hunter, but India's MH-60s will come with one of the most potent anti-ship missiles around today; Norway's NSM.

200+km range, stealth-optimized body and no active seeker making detection extremely difficult, a warhead with blast effects similar to Harpoon despite being half the size, it's an impressive capability for a lowly helicopter.

The MH-60's standard surface attack weapon is Hellfire.

Which partially replaced Penguin.

NSM is a extreme step up from Hellfire and gives the IN a potent anti-shipping capability.

These copters will be stationed on the destroyers and 2 carriers,would add to the ASW Capabilities of IN but NSM on Helicopter and Brahmos on SU 30 doesn't bode well for the enemy surface ships.

 

[pahadi]

They are replacing the seaking currently in the fleet

These are for ships right? ALH is good enough for the needs of the navy....

 

[rockstarIN]

These are for ships right? ALH is good enough for the needs of the navy....

These are sub hunters, not for transportation or other duties.