US' Biden govt approves sale of $1.7 bn defence equipment to India
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Washington: The outgoing President of the US, Joe Biden notified the US Congress on Monday about its decision to approve the sale of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter Equipment and related ones at an estimated cost of USD1.17 billion to India, PTI reported.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency claimed in the notification that the sale would improve India’s capability to deter current and future threats. The consignment will upgrade India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the notification to the Congress said.
The Biden administration's approval of the sale of major defence equipment to India comes weeks ahead of the completion of its four-year term.
President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States of America on January 20, 2025.
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.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems.
Implementation of this sale will require travel of up to 20 US Government or up to 25 contractor representatives to India on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight, it said.
The US Congress designated India a “Major Defense Partner” in 2016, conveying certain defence trade and security cooperation privileges. With US-India defence relations becoming an increasingly high-profile aspect of US foreign policy, Congress may wish to consider adjusting US laws and regulations in response to these plans, a document published by the Congressional Research Service stated.
