Spanish Navy orders eight Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters
MH-60R, a variant of the H-60 Black Hawk, has been derived from the original SH-60B Bravo Seahawk. (Photo: Sikorsky)
The delivery of eight Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to the Spanish Navy has been slated for completion by March 2027.
Lockheed Martin has received a contract from the US Navy (USN) to produce eight Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Spanish Navy (Armada).
According to the US DoD contract notification, the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal has been valued at $379.6 million and will run through March 2027. In its prior approval, the US government valued the total procurement (including associated equipment, weapons and services) at $950 million.
The new maritime helicopters will fulfil roles currently carried out by the 12 SH-60Bs the Armada operates, providing the service with advanced mission systems and sensors for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW). The Spanish Navy received the SH-60Bs between 1988 and 2001.
Related Articles
Spanish Navy still waits for new submarines
Norway chooses MH-60R Seahawk as NH90 replacement
US Coast Guard to upgrade radars for MH-60 and MH-65 helicopter fleets
The Armada is expected to buy more MH-60Rs or NHIndustries NH90 helicopters in the near future as SH-60B replacements.
‘We expect a smooth transition from the SH-60B to the MH-60R,’ the Spanish naval service said in a statement.
The Armada currently has in operation SH-60F, Bell AB212, and MD 500 helicopter types, with NH90s set to arrive between 2023 and 2025 to replace the interim SH-60Fs. It retired the last of 18 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters last year.
MH-60R, a variant of the H-60 Black Hawk, has been derived from the original SH-60B Bravo Seahawk which was retired by the USN in 2015.
Its primary missions have been ASW and ASuW, with secondary missions including search and rescue (SAR), vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, logistic support, communications relay, personnel transport and medevac.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![December Drone Digest: Germany, Australia and US champion indigenous UAV production]()
December Drone Digest: Germany, Australia and US champion indigenous UAV production
One of the key trends seen in December has been the rise in indigenous investment within the UAV market, particularly across certain countries, with Germany, Australia and the US focusing on their commitments to sovereign development.
-
![What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?]()
What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?
Changing roles for combat aircraft fleets, the rise of simulation and LVC technologies, and the increasing cost of flight hours could all be leading to a paradigm shift in military pilot training.
-
![2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate]()
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
![Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans]()
Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans
With a rising defence budget and equipment list, Poland’s air market is set to grow as the country continues to modernise its transport and helicopter fleets while seeking out uncrewed aerial vehicles and loitering munitions.
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg
As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets.
