This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship
US approves USD 428.2 million defence support for India: The United States has approved two proposed defence support packages for India at an estimated cost of USD 428.2 million. The proposed sales involve support services and logistics rather than new major defence equipment.
The proposed package is for India’s Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers . This includes ancillary items, spares, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot capability, and other related logistics and programme support.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which administers the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme of the US, issued the arms sales notification in the Federal Register on June 17. On May 18, the Department of State informed the US Congress about the possible sales of services for Apache Helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers to India.
In a policy justification accompanying the notification, the Pentagon said: ‘This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.’
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