US clears USD 428.2 million military support package for India covering Apache helicopters, M777 Howitzers

The United States of America has approved two separate Foreign Military Sales packages for India worth a combined USD 4282 million aimed at supporting the maintenance and operational readiness of AH64E Apache helicopters and M777A2 ultralight howitzersThe approvals were announced by the US State Departmentrsquos Bureau of PoliticalMilitary 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 decadeMajor support package cleared for M777 howitzersThe larger of the two proposals involves longterm sustainment support for Indiarsquos fleet of M777A2 ultralight howitzers valued at an estimated USD 230 millionAccording to the State Department India requested continued logistical and maintenance support for the artillery systems including spare parts repair services technical assistance and field supportldquoThe US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India sustainment support for M777A2 UltraLight Howitzersrdquo the notification statedThe package also includes training support depot maintenance capability field service representatives and other related programme assistance required to maintain operational readiness of the howitzersThe principal contractor for the deal will be BAE Systems which manufactures the M777 artillery systemThe M777 howitzers known for their lightweight design and mobility in difficult terrain are currently used by the Indian Army in highaltitude border areas and other operational deploymentsApache helicopter support package valued at USD 1982 millionIn a separate notification the US approved a USD 1982 million package linked to Indiarsquos AH64E Apache attack helicoptersThe proposed agreement includes sustainment support services engineering and technical assistance logistics support technical publications and personnel training for the helicopter fleetldquoThe 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 followon support services and related equipmentrdquo the State Department saidThe principal contractors for the Apacherelated support package are Boeing and Lockheed MartinIndia has inducted Apache helicopters into the Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps as part of efforts to modernise its combat capabilitiesUS says deals support IndoPacific stabilityThe State Department said both defence sales align with Washingtonrsquos strategic objectives in the IndoPacific region and are intended to strengthen Indiarsquos defence preparednessAccording 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 IndoPacificThe State Department added that the support packages would improve Indiarsquos ability to respond to present and future security challenges while strengthening homeland defence capabilities and regional deterrenceDefence ties between India and US continue to expandThe US government also noted that the proposed sales would not alter the military balance in the region and would not negatively affect American defence readinessOfficials further stated that India would face no difficulty integrating the services and equipment into its armed forcesIndia and the United States have significantly expanded defence cooperation in recent years through arms procurement agreements joint military exercises intelligence sharing and defence technology collaborationsThe latest approvals come at a time when both countries are deepening strategic coordination amid evolving security challenges in the IndoPacific regionWith inputs from IANS