Washington: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his high-profile US visit on Friday, a news report says that India is expected to choose Sikorsky Aircraft's S-70B Sea Hawk helicopters for a 16-aircraft tender worth over USD 1 billion.
The Sikorsky deal would be one of several large US arms purchases by India that are nearing completion - including over USD 2.5 billion in orders for Boeing Co's AH-64D Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
The Obama administration is expected top push hard for the sale of M-777 ultra-light howitzers and Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
During the September 26-30 visit to the United States, PM Modi will address the UN General Assembly in New York and attend other events. He will proceed to Washington on September 29 for a two-day summit meeting with President Barack Obama.
In the last decade, India has emerged as one of the major buyers of American military equipment and has supplied equipment worth over Rs 60,000 crore in these years.
The equipment supplied by the US includes the C-17 strategic lift transport aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules special operations planes, P-8I anti-submarine warfare planes and the AN-TPQ weapon locating radars.
The US has also offered to support India in establishing an indigenous weapon manufacturing sector in line with Modi's goal of achieving self-reliance in this sector.
(With Agency inputs)
