The United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved US $ 9.095 Billion arms sales to India from 2019 to April 2021 which includes a variety of major platforms and support equipment. The basic objective sales was as per DSCA mission statement to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests by building the capacity of foreign security forces to respond to shared challenges wherein Foreign Military Sales is a primary component.
The DSCA approves the sales based on the directions of Department of State with a view to, “support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and improve the security of a major defensive partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.”
Amongst the major sales to India in the last four years plus – February 2019 to May 2023 include P 8 I aircraft and Multi Mission helicopters for the Indian Navy, Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) essentially for the air defence of the national capital, naval guns, missiles, torpedoes and follow on support for the C 17 and C 130 J transport aircraft.
The total value of the sales is US $ 9.095 Billion. The details of the sales are tabulated for ease of reference month wise when approved. The approval does not imply that the sales has been executed.
February 2019
Two 777 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Self-Protection Suites (SPS). $190 million. The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to deter regional threats. The SPS will facilitate a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats. India will have no problem absorbing and using the SPS system.
April 2019
Twenty-four (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters. $2.6 billion The proposed sale will provide India the capability to perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions along with the ability to perform secondary missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay. India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. India will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.
July 2019
C-17 sustainment follow-on support $670 million India needs this follow-on support to maintain its operational readiness and ability to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) assistance in the region. India will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces.
November 2019
Thirteen (13) MK 45 5 inch/62 caliber (MOD 4) naval guns and related equipment. $1.0210. The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The MK-45 Gun System will provide the capability to conduct antisurface warfare and anti-air defense missions while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces. India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.
February 2020
Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) $1.867 billion. India intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces, and to expand its existing air defense architecture to counter threats posed by air attack. This will contribute to India’s military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between India, the U.S., and other allies. India will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces.
April 2020
Sixteen (16) MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); three (3) MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required); and related equipment. $63 million. The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo will provide the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare missions. India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. India intends to utilize MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes on its P-8I aircraft. India will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces.
April 2020
Ten (10) AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles and related equipment. $92 million The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The Harpoon missile system will be integrated into the P-8I aircraft to conduct anti-surface warfare missions in defense of critical sea lanes while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allied forces. India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
September 2020
C 130 J Follow on Support and related equipment. $90 million. The proposed sale ensures the previously procured aircraft operates effectively to serve the needs of Indian Air Force, Army and Navy transport requirements, local and international humanitarian assistance, and regional disaster relief. This sale of spares and services will enable the Indian Air Force to sustain a mission-ready status with respect to the C-130J transport. India will have no difficulty absorbing this additional sustainment support.
August 2021
Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS). On August 2, 2021 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $82 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale as per the DSCA website. This is based on the Government of India request to buy one (1) Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS). Also included is one (1) Harpoon Intermediate Level maintenance station; spare and repair parts, support, and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training; U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $82 million.
April 30, 2021
P-8I & Associated Support. On April 30, 2021 State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of six (6) P-8I Patrol aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.42 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
The Government of India has requested to buy six (6) P-8I Patrol aircraft; eight (8) Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems 5 (MIDS-JTRS 5) (6 installed, 2 spares); forty-two (42) AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors (36 installed, 6 spares); and fourteen (14) LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGIs) (12 installed, 2 spares). Also included are CFM56-7 commercial engines; Tactical Open Mission Software (ITOMS) variant for P-8I; Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) MX-20HD; AN/AAQ-2(V)l Acoustic System; ARES-1000 commercial variant Electronic Support Measures; AN/APR-39D Radar Warning Receiver; AN/ALE-47 Counter Measures Dispensing System; support equipment and spares; publications; repair and return; transportation; aircraft ferry; training; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, software, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $2.42 billion.
[Source DSCA Website]
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