Washington has approved two defence support deals worth more than $428 million for India, covering maintenance and sustainment of M777 howitzers and Apache attack helicopters….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The United States has approved two defence support packages for India worth a combined $428.2 million, providing long term maintenance, logistics and technical support for the Indian military’s M777 Ultra Light Howitzers and AH 64E Apache attack helicopters.
The approvals were notified to the US Congress through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and published in the Federal Register, marking another step in the expanding defence partnership between New Delhi and Washington.
The larger package, valued at $230 million, is intended to support India’s fleet of M777A2 Ultra Light Howitzers. The proposed deal includes spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service support, depot capability and other logistics related services aimed at ensuring the long term operational readiness of the artillery systems.
In its justification for the sale, the Pentagon said the package would strengthen the strategic relationship between the United States and India while enhancing the capabilities of a key defence partner in the Indo Pacific region.
The US Department of Defense stated that the support package would help India address current and future security challenges, strengthen homeland defence and improve its ability to deter regional threats.
The principal contractor for the howitzer support package is BAE Systems.
A second package worth $198.2 million will provide follow on support for India’s AH 64E Apache attack helicopters. The proposal includes engineering support, logistics services, technical data, publications, personnel training and related programme support necessary for sustaining the helicopter fleet.
The Pentagon said the Apache support package would similarly contribute to strengthening India’s defence preparedness and support broader US foreign policy and security objectives in the region.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been identified as the principal contractors for the Apache support programme.
US officials noted that neither package involves the sale of new major defence equipment and that the proposed agreements are focused entirely on sustainment and operational support. The Pentagon also said the transactions would have no adverse impact on US military readiness and would not require additional US government personnel to be stationed in India.
The approvals come as defence cooperation between India and the United States continues to deepen. Over the past two decades, bilateral defence trade has expanded significantly, accompanied by increased military exercises, technology cooperation and strategic coordination across the Indo Pacific region.
