How India intends to counter China with US-built MH-60R attack choppers

The US is finally set to deliver the MH-60R attack helicopters which is expected to be delivered to India next year and the entire order of 24 helicopters will be completed in the next three years, according to reports.

The Lockheed manufactured choppers possess anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability and has cutting edge communications and search support. The MH-60R also has destructive MK54 torpedos along with several in-built sensors.

Nicknamed the "Romeo", it is a potent weapon in India's arsenal to take on the growing power of China in the Indian Ocean. 

In a strategy dubbed by Indian and US observers as the "string of pearls," China has made use of a growing number of naval bases in the Indian Ocean, most notably the Gwadar port it is developing in India's historic rival Pakistan.

Indian naval planners have responded with a doctrine to ensure freedom of movement throughout the Indian Ocean, stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca.

The Romeos would replenish India's ageing fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters.

The MH-60R can be launched from India's aircraft carrier and has the capability to destroy frigates and amphibious ships, including destroyers and cruise ships, a move which China will be assessing keenly as it looks to dominate the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

The fact that the US has agreed to sell the attack choppers at this crucial time shows the intent of the Trump administration to strengthen its Indo-Pacific strategy in the face of mounting Chinese threat in the region.

India is of course not the first country the US has sold its elite choppers with Australia, Qatar, South Korea and Denmark being the earliest buyers.

The MH-60R can carry a variety of weapon system onboard with the Mk-54  torpedoes, Hellfire missiles including .50 calibre guns which can be fired from the deck. 

It possesses night vision technology and can literally hunt down submarines in deep waters through imaging and periscope detection.

The chopper can also defend itself against various missile threats including laser-guided missiles.

India has already inducted the US-built Chinook helicopters which was taken in by the Indian Air Force(IAF). India paid close to $1.5 billion for 15 of the helicopters which will be used to deploy troops and machinery at high-altitude locations.

India was officially handed over the first of the Chinook helicopters on February 1. The handover took place at Boeing's facility in Philadelphia in the presence of Indian ambassador to the US Harsh Shringla.

The Chinook is operated by 18 other defence forces around the world.

Large sections of the Chinook fuselage, interestingly, are being manufactured in India.

Helicopters (Representational Image)

Meanwhile, China has advanced to the next stage of production of attack helicopters. It had begun production way back in the 1970S. In 2009, it commissioned the anti-tank CAIC Z-10 helicopter developed indigenously with air-to-air capability.

China has ramped up its attack helicopter project since 2000 with an eye on the region especially Taiwan.

The Z-10 is one of the most advanced choppers of the Chinese military with state of the art avionics, navigation and electronic warfare capabilities which include guided and unguided missile systems.
 

China's "iron friend" Pakistan had reportedly ordered the CAIC Z-10 choppers but pulled out of the deal later for the TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK from Turkey.

India faces threats on two fronts in its territorial waters both from Pakistan and China, no doubt it has been ramping up its naval capability in the last few years, especially with its choppers.

The Indian military which has devised an integrated plan to keep the China-Pakistan axis at bay will be keeping a keen eye on the latest move by the Chinese military as it seeks to dominate the seas.