Washington: Taking military diplomacy between both the nations to a newer height, the United State gave its approval for a $155-million sale of Harpoon missiles and lightweight torpedoes to India.
The State Department has made a determination approving a 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); three MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $63 million.
It also gave approval for the sale of 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles worth $92 million. Also included are containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, Specialized Assignment Airlift Missions (SAAM).
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Monday.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to 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,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a release.
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,” it added.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
While the Harpoon missiles will be manufactured by Boeing Company, the torpedoes would be supplied by Raytheon, the notification said.
In February, the Trump administration had also approved a $1.87-billion sale of an air defence weapon system to India that is expected to boost the modernisation efforts of the armed forces and help in expanding the South Asian nation’s air defence architecture for major cities like capital New Delhi.
