Belgium considers U.S. MH-60R Seahawk helicopter for maritime search and rescue operations.

Belgium has opened discussions with the United States on potential acquisitions of the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk and CH-53K King Stallion helicopters.

On February 25, 2026, Belgium opened discussions with the United States regarding a potential acquisition of the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter during International Military Helicopter 2026. The Seahawk is being assessed to replace the NH90 under Belgium’s 2026–2027 search and rescue (SAR) program. Gareth Jennings said that the exchanges, which also include the CH-53K King Stallion, involve NAVAIR and Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division as part of Belgium’s ongoing helicopter fleet restructuring.
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The Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk was developed by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, to consolidate the missions of the SH-60B and SH-60F into a single airframe, creating the current primary maritime helicopter of the U.S. Navy. (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

Belgium’s rotary-wing force is in transition following the retirement in 2025 of four NH90 TTH helicopters due to cost and availability constraints, leaving four NH90 NFH aircraft in maritime and anti-submarine roles. The NH90 NFH continues to operate from Koksijde Air Base for coastal SAR and naval support, but the STAR plan provides for four dedicated SAR helicopters to assume rescue duties from 2026-2027 onward, supported by an investment of €232 million, including infrastructure. Belgium has also ordered 17 Airbus H145M helicopters in June 2024, later expanded by five additional units in 2025, bringing the combined Defence and Federal Police fleet to 20 aircraft with deliveries beginning in 2026 and service entry by the end of 2027. This restructuring separates light utility, SAR, and heavy lift functions into distinct fleets and frames the MH-60R within the SAR requirement.

The Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk was developed by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, to consolidate the missions of the SH-60B Seahawk and SH-60F into a single multi-mission maritime helicopter, primarily for the U.S. Navy. The program originated in the 1990s as part of the broader Sikorsky H-60 recapitalization effort, with an emphasis on integrating anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and utility roles within one airframe. The first MH-60R flight took place in 2001, and initial operational capability was achieved in 2006 with the U.S. Navy. The MH-60R incorporates mission system architecture derived from earlier Seahawk variants but redesigned around a fully integrated digital avionics suite. Production has continued into the 2020s with incremental capability upgrades in sensors, software, and communications systems. The MH-60R remains in active production for domestic and export customers, with Foreign Military Sales forming a significant share of recent deliveries.

Program evolution focused on replacing separate carrier-based and surface-combatant helicopter variants with a unified fleet to reduce logistics complexity and training divergence. The US Navy structured procurement through successive multi-year contracts, transitioning from remanufactured SH-60 airframes to new-build MH-60R helicopters. Systems integration centered on combining radar, dipping sonar, electronic support measures, and weapons management into a common mission computer environment. Development also included shipboard compatibility enhancements, such as automatic blade folding and strengthened landing gear for deck operations. Over time, software updates have expanded networking and interoperability with surface combatants and maritime patrol aircraft. The helicopter’s development pathway reflects a shift toward networked naval aviation rather than single-mission specialization.

The MH-60R is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, each rated at 1,890 shp, driving a four-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor. Maximum takeoff weight is approximately 10,660 kg, and the aircraft has a cruise speed exceeding 280 km/h with a range greater than 830 km, depending on configuration. The helicopter is typically operated by a crew of four comprising two pilots and two mission operators. Its airframe length is approximately 19.5 m with rotors turning, and the rotor diameter measures 16.36 m. Internal cabin space supports mission consoles and limited troop or rescue seating, while an external cargo hook enables underslung load carriage. Endurance varies with payload and fuel configuration, but remains sufficient to support Belgium's maritime patrol and search missions.

The avionics suite centers on a digital glass cockpit with four multi-function displays, dual flight management computers, and integrated automatic flight control systems. The primary radar is the AN/APS-153 multi-mode maritime radar equipped with inverse synthetic aperture radar and periscope detection capability. Undersea search is supported by the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar, a dipping sonar designed for active submarine localization. Electro-optical and infrared identification is provided by the AN/AAS-44 turret system, enabling day and night targeting and search functions. Electronic support measures are delivered by the ALQ-210 system, which detects and classifies radar emissions. Hawklink datalink connectivity enables real-time transmission of sensor data to host ships, supporting cooperative engagement.

Armament capability includes up to three Mk-54 lightweight torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for anti-surface missions. The MH-60R Seahawk can also carry crew-served door guns for force protection and maritime security tasks. A rescue hoist mounted above the cabin door supports search-and-rescue operations, and the aircraft can be fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks to extend mission endurance. Survivability features include ballistic-tolerant components, crashworthy seating, and infrared suppressors on engine exhausts. The airframe is corrosion-protected for maritime environments and incorporates automatic blade fold and tail pylon fold systems for compact shipboard storage. These design elements allow operation from frigates, destroyers, and other naval vessels in varied sea states.

Operationally, the MH-60R is the primary maritime helicopter of the U.S. Navy, deployed aboard cruisers, destroyers, and littoral combat ships. It has also been selected by multiple international operators, including Australia, Denmark, India, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and South Korea, under Foreign Military Sales agreements. Export variants retain the core sensor and weapons architecture while adapting communications and encryption systems to national requirements. Deliveries to allied navies have expanded interoperability within coalition maritime operations and NATO exercises. The helicopter has been employed in anti-submarine patrols, maritime security missions, and search-and-rescue tasks across multiple theaters.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.