US Backs India With $428 Million Defense Support Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The United States has approved two proposed defense support packages for India worth a combined $428.2 million, covering long-term sustainment for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers and follow-on support for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, according to notifications published by the Pentagon.

The notices, issued by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and recently delivered to Congress, cover support services and logistics rather than new major defense equipment.

The larger package, valued at $230 million, provides long-term sustainment support for India’s M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers. It includes spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot capability, and related logistics and programme support.

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.”

The Pentagon added that the proposed sale “will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and deter regional threats.”

The principal contractor for the M777A2 support package is UK-based defense company BAE Systems. The notification stated that implementation of the sale “will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives to India.”

A second package, valued at $198.2 million, provides follow-on support for India’s AH-64E Apache helicopters. It includes sustainment support services, engineering, technical and logistics support, technical data and publications, personnel training, and related programme support.

The Pentagon said the Apache package would also support US foreign policy goals by strengthening the security of a key defense partner in the Indo-Pacific region and enhancing India’s ability to address current and future threats.

According to the notification, the principal contractors for the Apache support package are US aerospace company Boeing and US defense contractor Lockheed Martin. The Pentagon said there would be “no adverse impact on US defense readiness” as a result of the proposed sale.

The notifications emphasized that neither package involves Major Defense Equipment and that both are funded through India’s national funds. (IANS)