India-US defence deal: The United States on Wednesday approved the sale of two key tranches of military equipment with a combined value of $93 million for India. New Delhi will soon receive the Javelin Missile System and Excalibur Projectiles along with other related equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the US stated in a notification.
The DSCA said the US State Department has approved a possible sale of the Javelin Missile System and related equipment for an estimated cost of $45.7 million. India had requested for 100 FGM-148 Javelin rounds, one Javelin FGM-148 missile (fly-to-buy), 25 Command Launch Units, along with missile simulation rounds, spare parts and lifecycle support among others.
The DSCA said the proposed sale would improve India’s capability to counter current and future threats, strengthen its defence and deter regional threats. The DSCA added that the sale would also help in strengthening the US-Indian strategic relationship. The agency informed that it has delivered the required certification and has notified the Congress.
On the same day, the DSCA issued another notification which stated that the US State Department has approved the potential sale of Excalibur Projectiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $47.1 million. The sale would include 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles, ancillary items, fire control system, US government’s technical assistance among others.
The notification added, “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first strike accuracy in its brigades.”
