BALTIMORE–The U.S. Navy turned over two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters to Thailand recently in what was the first delivery of the MH-60 to a foreign government.
The Sikorsky-built [UTX] Seahawks were flown from Owego, N.Y., to the Port of Baltimore, where they will be shipped over sea to the Thai Royal Navy. The total cost for the package, including logistical support and training, was about 60 million dollars, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matt Horr, the military lead for the MH-60 international program.
The Thai government has expressed interest in buying four additional MH-60S “Sierra” helicopters under the Foreign Military Sales program, Horr said.
Lockheed Martin [LMT] provides the avionics for the Sierra and is the system integrator for the more advanced “Romeo” version of the MH-60.
Numerous other foreign governments have inquired about purchasing MH-60s. Australia has already placed an order for 24 of the MH60R Seahawks, Horr said. Denmark is set to make a decision as early as September. South Korea and Malaysia are among the other countries with an interest in the MH-60, Horr said.
The U.S. Navy has deployed more than 200 of the MH60S helicopters and about 100 of the MH-60R versions.