Washington: With India inviting proposals
from foreign suppliers, the Pentagon has notified the US
Congress about the possible sale of 22 Apache helicopters and
that of AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles to the country at a
potential cost of USD 1.6 billion.
The US Defense Department said India has requested
proposals from several foreign suppliers, including the US, to
provide the next generation attack helicopter for the Indian
Air Force.
In this competition, India has yet to select the
Boeing-United States Army proposal.
"This notification is being made in advance so that,
in the event that the Boeing-US Army proposal is selected, the
United States might move as quickly as possible to implement
the sale," it said.
The two potential sales, notified to the Congress
separately are worth USD 1.6 billion.
The largest sale worth USD 1.4 billion is that of
AH-64D Block III Apache helicopters which includes engines,
equipment, weapons, training, parts and logistical support.
The second sale of USD 200 million is the package of
21 AGM-84L HARPOON Block II Missiles and associated equipment,
parts and logistical support.
"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign
policy and national security of the United States by helping
to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and to
improve the security of an important partner which continues
to be an important force for political stability, peace, and
economic progress in South Asia," said the Defense Security
Cooperation Agency in a statement.
"The proposed sale in support of AH-64D helicopters
will improve India`s capability to strengthen its homeland
defense and deter regional threats.
"This support for the AH-64D will provide an
incremental increase in India`s defensive capability to
counter ground-armoured threats and modernise its armed
forces," it said.
"India will have no difficulty absorbing this
helicopter support into its armed forces," it said.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency informed the
Congress that India intends to use the missiles on its Indian
Navy P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft which will provide
enhanced capabilities in effective defense of critical sea
lines of communication.
India has already purchased HARPOON Block II missiles
for integration on the Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft and
will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed
forces, it said.
If India selects the Boeing-US Army proposal, the
Government of India will request a possible sale of 50
T700-GE-701D engines, 12 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars, 12
AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometers, 812 AGM-114L-3
HELLFIRE LONGBOW missiles, 542 AGM-114R-3 HELLFIRE II
missiles, 245 STINGER Block I-92H missiles, and 23 Modernised
Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision
Sensors, rockets, training and dummy missiles.
Besides, the order would also include 30mm ammunition,
transponders, simulators, global positioning system/inertial
navigation systems, communication equipment, spare and repair
parts; tools and test equipment, support equipment, repair and
return support, personnel training and training equipment;
publications and technical documentation, US Government and
contractor engineering and logistics support services; and
other related elements of logistics support to be provided in
conjunction with a proposed direct commercial sale of 22
AH-64D Block III APACHE Helicopters.
PTI
