India, Nov. 28 -- The defence ministry on Friday signed letters of offer and acceptance with the United States (US) for sustainment support for the Indian Navy's fleet of MH-60R helicopters through follow-on support and supply support worth Rs.7,995 crore.

The support is for five years, the defence ministry said.

India ordered 24 Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R multi-role helicopters, worth around Rs.17,500 crore, from the US in 2020 to modernise its ageing naval helicopter fleet. Fifteen of these have been delivered, and the remaining aircraft will arrive next year, navy officials said.

The letters were inked under the US Foreign Military Sales programme in the presence of defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Sustainment support is ...