The Government of Spain has signed an agreement with the American company Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin Group) for the purchase of eight MH-60R "Seahawk" amphibious military helicopters. The combat aircraft, equipped with specific capabilities in anti-submarine warfare and air-to-land attack, will be destined for the navy. This is an initiative with which Madrid aims to modernize the fleets of the armed forces. 

"The operational effectiveness of the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter is the direct result of continued investments by the US Navy, Sikorsky and our supplier partners in air assets, mission systems and sensors", said Hamid Salim, vice-president of Sikorsky Maritime Systems. 

The new MH-60R "Seahawk" helicopters will replace the older SH-60B "Seahawk", purchased between 1988 and 2001, and currently in service in the Iberian Navy fleet. Last year, the Armed Forces of the Sea had already taken the strategic decision to withdraw the last 18 SH-3 "Sea King" aircraft, purchased by Madrid in 1966, temporarily replaced with eight SH-60F "Seahawk" rotary-wing aircraft.