Sikorsky Awarded $1B Australian Navy Contract

The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to produce 12 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy.

The deal came through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales agreement and is valued at just under $1 billion.

Lockheed Martin plans to deliver all 12 helicopters between mid-2025 and mid-2026.

“The ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopter instills confidence in navies worldwide for its high operational availability in the harsh maritime environment,” said Hamid Salim, vice president, Sikorsky Maritime & Mission Systems.

“We thank the RAN for showing confidence in the broad mission flexibility of this proven multi-role helicopter.”

This is not the first deal between the Australian Navy and Lockheed Martin.

The RAN acquired 24 aircrafts from 2013 to 2016, and accumulated over 30,000 flight hours on frigates, destroyers, and supply ships.

“The additional 12 MH-60R Seahawk aircraft is a testament to the Royal Australian Navy’s commitment to providing their service men and women the right aircraft for their mission needs,” said Capt. Todd Evans, U.S. Navy H-60 multi-mission helicopters program manager.

“This effort continues the long-standing partnership between the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.”