Contract awarded for eight MH-60R SEAHAWKs for the Spanish Navy

Lockheed Martin received a contract from the U.S. Navy to produce eight Sikorsky MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters for the Spanish Navy.

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Designed, built and integrated with advanced mission systems and sensors for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, the Spanish Navy’s future MH-60Rs will significantly enhance and expand the range of maritime capabilities currently delivered by its fleet of SH-60B SEAHAWKs, which they will replace.

“Operational effectiveness of the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter is a direct result of ongoing investment by the U.S. Navy, Sikorsky, and our partner suppliers in the air vehicle, mission systems and sensors,” said Hamid Salim, vice president, Sikorsky Maritime Systems.

See also: Norway ordered six Seahawk helicopters to replace its NH90s

The Spanish Navy retired the last of 18 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters in 2022, aircraft that had begun to be received in 1966. From 1988 to 2001, 12 SH-60B naval helicopters were acquired and, more recently, supplemented by additional SH-60F SEAHAWK helicopters purchased second-hand from the U.S. Navy.

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Spain’s eight new MH-60R aircraft will join a fleet of 330 worldwide operational with the U.S. Navy, Australia, Denmark, Saudi Arabia and India. Aircraft deliveries to Greece and South Korea will begin in 2024. In May, the U.S. Navy announced the global MH-60R fleet had surpassed 1 million flight hours.

“Spain’s confidence in the MH-60R is an attestation to our shared commitment to national security and the security of our allied nations,” said Capt. William Hargreaves, U.S. Navy H-60 Multi-mission Helicopters program manager. “We are committed to supporting Spain throughout this process from contract award through delivery while further solidifying our global partnership. The increased capabilities and new technologies of the MH-60R Seahawk will allow the Spanish Navy to remain a ready, capable and equipped fleet.”