Article Posted on : - Jan 30, 2014

MH-60R Seahawk Romeo maritime combat helicopter 'In-service Date' ceremony. Photo: Australian DoD.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Royal Australian Navy has taken delivery of the first two MH-60R Seahawk Romeo maritime combat helicopters as part of AIR 9000 project.

The initial aircraft will be joined by an additional five over the course of 2014, according to the Australian Department of Defence.

The helicopters were delivered to RAN six months ahead of schedule at an 'In Service Date' ceremony conducted by NUSQN 725 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville on 24 January.

The first two of twenty-four airframes on order from Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin, were delivered to the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) in early December 2013.

The DoD will acquire 24 MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters under the AIR 9000 Phase 8 project to replace the Navy's current 16 S-70B-2 Seahawk Classic helicopters.

The MH-60R will primarily be used in the Anti Submarine Warfare Role, Commanding Officer of NUSQN 725, Commander David Frost said, adding, the aircraft will contribute to Navy's anti-surface warfare role by providing an air-to-surface missile capability.