India gets US approval for Apache helicopter and M777 howitzer support services

The US has approved the possible sale of support services and related equipment for Apache helicopters to India for an estimated cost of USD 198.2 billion, the US Department of State said.

The Department of State also approved a possible sale of sustainment support for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers for an estimated cost of USD 230 million.

According to the Department of State, the principal contractors for the Apache support services deal will be The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin. For the howitzers support package, the principal contractor will be BAE Systems, located in Cumbria, UK.

The Department of State said India has requested to buy AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, along with U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, technical data and publications, personnel training, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

India has also requested to buy long-term sustainment support for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers.

The Department of State said the following non-major defence equipment items will be included for the howitzers support package: ancillary items, spares, repair and return, training, technical assistance, field service representative, depot capability, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

The proposed sale of support services for the helicopters and howitzers will take place through Foreign Military Sale channels.

The Department of State said the proposed sale of helicopters and howitzers would support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by helping strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship.

It added that the proposed sales would help improve the security of a major defence partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.

According to the Department of State, the proposed sales will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen homeland defence, and deter regional threats.

“India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” the Department of State said.

The Department of State also said the proposed sales of the equipment and support would not alter the basic military balance in the region.

“There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” it added.