US approves sale of $90 mn military equipment to India

Washington, December 4

The US has approved the sale of USD 90 million worth of military hardware and services to India in support of its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft.

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 improve the security of a “Major Defence Partner”, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the Department of Defence said on Thursday.

In a major sales notification to the Congress, the DSCA said, “India continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.”

Among the requests made by India include aircraft consumables spares and repair/return parts; cartridge actuated devices/propellant actuated devices (CAD/PAD); fire extinguisher cartridges; flare cartridges; advanced radar warning receiver shipset; 10 lightweight night vision binocular; 10 AN/AVS-9 night vision goggle; GPS; electronic warfare; instruments and lab equipment support.

The Pentagon said the proposed sale ensures the previously procured aircraft operates effectively to serve the needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Army and the Navy transport requirements, local and international humanitarian assistance, and regional disaster relief.

“This sale of spares and services will enable the IAF to sustain a mission-ready status with respect to the C-130J transport. India will have no difficulty absorbing this additional sustainment support,” it said. — PTI