The United States has formally notified Congress of a proposed sale of sustainment support services and related equipment for India's Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, totaling an estimated USD 482.2 million. This significant arms sale, managed by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, includes long-term support for the howitzers, valued at USD 230 million, comprising ancillary items, spares, training, and technical assistance, and a USD 198.2 million package for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, encompassing similar support services and training. These proposed sales are intended to enhance India's defense capabilities against current and future threats, with the Department of Defense stating that India can readily integrate these assets and that the sales will not disrupt regional military balance or US defense readiness.

The United States has formally notified Congress of a proposed sale of sustainment support services and related equipment for India's Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, totaling an estimated USD 482.2 million. This significant arms sale, managed by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, includes long-term support for the howitzers, valued at USD 230 million, comprising ancillary items, spares, training, and technical assistance, and a USD 198.2 million package for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, encompassing similar support services and training. These proposed sales are intended to enhance India's defense capabilities against current and future threats, with the Department of Defense stating that India can readily integrate these assets and that the sales will not disrupt regional military balance or US defense readiness.

The United States has formally notified Congress of a proposed sale of sustainment support services and related equipment for India's Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, totaling an estimated USD 482.2 million. This significant arms sale, managed by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, includes long-term support for the howitzers, valued at USD 230 million, comprising ancillary items, spares, training, and technical assistance, and a USD 198.2 million package for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, encompassing similar support services and training. These proposed sales are intended to enhance India's defense capabilities against current and future threats, with the Department of Defense stating that India can readily integrate these assets and that the sales will not disrupt regional military balance or US defense readiness.

The US has formally notified the proposed sale of sustainment support services and related equipment for India's Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers at an estimated cost of USD 482.2 million.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which administers the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme of the US, issued the arms sales notification in the Federal Register on June 17.

India inducted the M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, procured from the US under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, to bolster its artillery capabilities, particularly in mountainous terrain. As per the notification, India has requested long-term sustainment support for these items, reported news agency PTI.

"The following non-major defence equipment items will be included: ancillary items; spares; repair and return; training; technical assistance; field service representatives; depot capability; and other related elements of logistics and programme support. The estimated total cost is USD 230 million," the notification said.

In a separate notification, the Department of Defence said India has sought AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, technical data and publications, personnel training, and other related logistics and programme support. The estimated cost of the Apache support package is USD 198.2 million, reported news agency PTI.

The Indian Army operates the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, regarded as being among the world's most advanced combat helicopters, for precision strike and battlefield support missions.

The proposed sales will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats. India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces, the Department of Defence said.

The proposed sales would not alter the basic military balance in the region and would have no adverse impact on US defence readiness, it said.

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