US approves $93 million-worth arms sale to India
What's the story
The United States has approved the possible sales of two major military sales to India, totaling around $93 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the decision in two statements. The sales include Javelin missile systems and Excalibur projectiles, which are aimed at bolstering India's defense capabilities and strengthening the US-Indian strategic partnership.
Statement
Statement by DSCA
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-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," read the official statement of DSCA.
Sale packages
Details of the military sales
The first sale package, worth $45.7 million, includes Javelin FGM-148 missiles and 25 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU). It also includes non-major defense equipment such as missile simulation rounds, battery coolant units, interactive electronic technical manuals and operator manuals. The second package is for Excalibur Projectiles worth $47.1 million. In a separate statement, the DSCA said India had requested to buy up to 216 M982A1 tactical projectiles.
Contractor
Principal contractor will be RTX Corporation
The statement further said, "The following non-MDE items will also be included: ancillary items; Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK); primers; propellant charges; US government technical assistance; technical data; repair and return services; and other related elements of logistics and program support," the statement added. The principal contractor for these sales will be RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia.
Additional components
Salei to improve India's capability to meet current, future threats
The proposed sales, the agency said, will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and deter regional threats. "India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces," it added. "The proposed sale(s) of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the agency further said.