The US State Department has approved the potential sale of equipment and follow-on support for MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to India for an estimated cost of $1.17 billion, the Pentagon said on Monday.
“The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today,” the Agency said.
The Pentagon said in a statement that Lockheed Martin LMT.N will be the principal contractor. The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to deter current and future threats by upgrading its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the statement states.
.@StateDept🇺🇸 authorizes a proposed Foreign Military Sale #FMS for #India's🇮🇳 proposed purchase of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter Equipment and Follow-on Support for an estimated cost of $1.17 billion. #FMSUpdate — https://t.co/jMazDlm1sD pic.twitter.com/K6j0uzP061
— Political-Military Affairs, US Dept of State (@StateDeptPM) December 2, 2024
The Biden administration’s approval of the sale of major defence equipment to India comes weeks before it completes its four-year term.
According to the notification, India has requested to buy 30 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS). It also included advanced data transfer systems; external fuel tanks; AN/AAS 44C(V) forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems; an operator machine interface assistant; spare containers; facilities study, design, construction and support; support and test equipment; munitions; and integration and test support.
It said that implementing this sale will require the temporary travel of up to 20 US government or up to 25 contractor representatives to India for program technical support and management oversight.
The statement said this proposed sale would support the United States foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to strengthen the United States-India strategic relationship and improving the security of a major defence partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.
Ravi Shankar
