19 May,2026 09:42 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondent
Apache helicopters. Pic/AFP
The United States of America has approved two separate Foreign Military Sales packages for India worth a combined USD 428.2 million, aimed at supporting the maintenance and operational readiness of AH-64E Apache helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers.
The approvals were announced by the US State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs through congressional notifications issued on May 18. The proposed deals are part of the growing defence partnership between India and the United States, which has expanded steadily over the past decade.
The larger of the two proposals involves long-term sustainment support for India's fleet of M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, valued at an estimated USD 230 million.
According to the State Department, India requested continued logistical and maintenance support for the artillery systems, including spare parts, repair services, technical assistance and field support.
"The US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India sustainment support for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers," the notification stated.
The package also includes training support, depot maintenance capability, field service representatives and other related programme assistance required to maintain operational readiness of the howitzers.
The principal contractor for the deal will be BAE Systems, which manufactures the M777 artillery system.
The M777 howitzers, known for their lightweight design and mobility in difficult terrain, are currently used by the Indian Army in high-altitude border areas and other operational deployments.
In a separate notification, the US approved a USD 198.2 million package linked to India's AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
The proposed agreement includes sustainment support services, engineering and technical assistance, logistics support, technical publications and personnel training for the helicopter fleet.
"The US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for its purchase of Apache Helicopters follow-on support services and related equipment," the State Department said.
The principal contractors for the Apache-related support package are Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
India has inducted Apache helicopters into the Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps as part of efforts to modernise its combat capabilities.
The State Department said both defence sales align with Washington's strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region and are intended to strengthen India's defence preparedness.
According to the notifications, the proposed sales would support US foreign policy and national security goals by strengthening ties with India, which the US described as an important defence partner in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
The State Department added that the support packages would improve India's ability to respond to present and future security challenges while strengthening homeland defence capabilities and regional deterrence.
The US government also noted that the proposed sales would not alter the military balance in the region and would not negatively affect American defence readiness.
Officials further stated that India would face no difficulty integrating the services and equipment into its armed forces.
India and the United States have significantly expanded defence cooperation in recent years through arms procurement agreements, joint military exercises, intelligence sharing and defence technology collaborations.
The latest approvals come at a time when both countries are deepening strategic coordination amid evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
(With inputs from IANS)
