WASHINGTON: The United States government has approved a deal to sell theIndian military six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for $930 million, theState Department said Tuesday.
The agreement has been passed to the US Congress for approval, but if no USlawmaker raises an objection the contract is expected to go ahead.
Boeing and Indian partner Tata have begun to produce Apache fuselages at aplant in India, but Tuesday´s approval concerns a direct sale of finishedproducts from US manufacturers.
The lead contractors are US arms, aviations and engineering giants LockheedMartin, General Electric and Raytheon.
In addition to aircraft, the contract includes night vision sensors, GPSguidance and hundreds of Hellfire anti-armor and Stinger air-to-airmissiles.
“This support for the AH-64E will provide an increase in India´s defensivecapability to counter ground-armored threats and modernize its armedforces,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said, in a statement.
“India will have no difficulty absorbing the helicopters and supportequipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment andsupport will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” – APP/AFP