New Delhi: The US has approved two Foreign Military Sales packages for India worth a combined USD 428.2 million, according to Congressional notifications issued by the US Department of State. The approvals cover long-term sustainment support for key defence platforms already in service with India.
The first package is valued at USD 230 million and relates to sustainment support for the M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers. The support includes spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, depot-level capability, field service representatives, logistics support, and related programme elements. The principal contractor for this package is BAE Systems.
The second package is valued at USD 198.2 million and covers follow-on support services for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The scope includes engineering support, technical and logistics assistance, training, technical data, and programme-related services. The main contractors identified are Boeing, Lockheed Martin.
The US State Department said both proposals support foreign policy and national security objectives. It said the measures are intended to strengthen defence cooperation with India, which it described as a major defence partner in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.
Officials stated that the packages will help India improve readiness, respond to current and future threats, and strengthen homeland defence capabilities.
The notifications added that the proposed sales will not change the basic military balance in the region. They also confirmed that the support arrangements will not affect US defence readiness.
The approvals reflect ongoing defence logistics and sustainment cooperation between the two countries, particularly for systems already deployed in the Indian armed forces.
