Lockheed Martin Expands Fleet: 12 New MH-60R Seahawks For Royal Australian Navy!

The U.S. Navy has granted Lockheed Martin a firm-fixed price contract to manufacture an additional 12 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk^® helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Acquired through the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales agreement, these additional aircraft will enhance the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm with a third ‘Romeo’ squadron of unmatched capability. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin.

“The ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopter inspires trust in navies globally due to its exceptional operational availability in challenging marine conditions, as well as for its fully integrated mission systems and sensors that swiftly create a comprehensive picture of both surface and subsurface environments,” stated Hamid Salim, Vice President of Sikorsky Maritime & Mission Systems. “We express our gratitude to the RAN for their confidence in the extensive mission adaptability of this established multi-role helicopter. Ongoing and future enhancements to the MH-60R, through collaboration with the U.S. Navy, RAN, international allies, and industry, will guarantee the aircraft’s reliability and mission efficiency against emerging threats for many years ahead.”

As part of the Australian Government’s Project SEA 9100 Phase 1 (Enhanced Embarked Logistics Support Helicopter Capability), the 12 new MH-60R aircraft will establish a unified fleet of maritime helicopters supporting all of the RAN’s air-capable platforms.

“Leveraging a decade-long partnership with the United States Navy and Lockheed Martin, the MH-60R ‘Romeo’ multi-mission helicopter furnishes the Royal Australian Navy with an exceptional maritime aviation solution,” remarked Rear Adm. Peter Quinn, Head of Navy Capability for the Royal Australian Navy. “The MH-60R’s adaptability for a diverse array of missions combined with the world-class support from our partners was a crucial factor in the RAN’s decision to invest further in the MH-60R under the SEA 9100 Phase 1 initiative.”

Lockheed Martin aims to deliver all 12 MH-60R helicopters between mid-2025 and mid-2026. Sikorsky Aircraft Australia Limited in Nowra, New South Wales, currently undertakes depot-level maintenance, supply support, and logistics for Australia’s MH-60R helicopter fleet.

“The additional 12 MH-60R SEAHAWK aircraft signify the Royal Australian Navy’s dedication to equipping their personnel with the appropriate aircraft for their mission requirements,” said Capt. Todd Evans, U.S. Navy H-60 multi-mission helicopters program manager. “This initiative continues the longstanding collaboration between the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.”

The RAN was the inaugural international navy to select the MH-60R helicopter, acquiring 24 aircraft from 2013 to 2016. The Fleet Air Arm’s 725 and 816 squadrons based at Nowra have amassed over 30,000 flight hours aboard frigates, destroyers, and supply vessels.