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The United States has cleared two defence support packages for India valued at more than $428 million, focusing on the maintenance and operational readiness of M777 ultra-light howitzers and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
The proposed agreements, which have been notified to the US Congress, do not involve the sale of new major military platforms. Instead, they are aimed at sustaining equipment already in service with the Indian armed forces through logistics, technical assistance, repairs, training and long-term support.
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The larger package, estimated at $230 million, relates to sustainment support for India’s fleet of M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers. It includes spare parts, repair services, technical assistance, training, field service support, depot-level capabilities and associated programme support.
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According to the US Department of Defense, the proposal aligns with Washington’s foreign policy and security objectives by supporting a key defence partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions,” said the Pentagon.
The department also said the package would help India address current and future security challenges while improving homeland defence and deterrence capabilities.
M777 support package led by BAE Systems
The principal contractor for the howitzer support programme is BAE Systems of the United Kingdom.
US authorities said implementation of the proposal would not require the deployment of additional US government personnel or contractor representatives in India.
Apache helicopter support valued at $198.2 million
A separate package worth $198.2 million has been proposed for India’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
The support arrangement covers engineering assistance, logistics support, sustainment services, technical publications, training and related programme support required for the helicopter fleet.
The Pentagon used similar reasoning in its notification, stating that the proposal would contribute to strengthening India’s defence preparedness and support broader US strategic interests in the region.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been identified as the principal contractors for the Apache support programme.
The US government said the proposed transaction would have no adverse impact on American defence readiness.
Defence cooperation continues to expand
The notifications state that neither proposal involves Major Defence Equipment and that no offset agreements have been identified at this stage. Both programmes are expected to be funded by India.
India and the United States have significantly expanded defence cooperation over the past two decades. Bilateral defence trade has grown from negligible levels in 2008 to more than $20 billion, alongside increasing military exercises, technology collaboration and logistics cooperation between the two countries.
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