NEW DELHI – Despite selling some $17 billion worth of US-made weapons toNew Delhi since 2007, Washington failed to conclude any military sales withNew Delhi for the last three years. If the deals are signed during the USpresident’s visit, it will be a mega boost for Trump, who hinted aboutsigning a trade deal during his visit.
India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday approved thepurchase of naval multirole choppers and Apache attack helicopters for itsarmed forces, highly placed government sources said.
With the approval from the CCS—chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi— thedeals are set to be inked during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Indiaon 24-45 February.
“The deals related to the purchase of 24 MH-60R multi Role Helicopters(MRH) and six Apache helicopters have been approved by the cabinet,” saidsources. The two deals are worth around $4.3 billion.
The US approved the sale of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters in April 2019,but the signing of the contract has been delayed over the final price. Thechopper will replace the ageing SeaKing helicopters, which the navyacquired in 1978.
The Romeo helicopter is equipped with APS-153(V) multimode radars whichwould help the Indian navy in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare,intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
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The cabinet has also given its green signal to the purchase of six Apacheattack helicopters for the Indian Army.
In September 2019, Indian Air Force had inducted eight AH 64E Block IIIApaches at Pathankot air force to guard the border with Pakistan. Thesecond Apache unit is planned for the Eastern Sector at Jorhat, Assam.
The first part of the deal related to Apache helicopters was signed on 28September 2015. Later in 2018, the US government had also approved the saleof six Apache helicopters complete with weapons systems and supportequipment worth $930 million to the Indian army for deployment on therugged Himalayan terrain along the China border. – Sputnik
