The United States has given the green light to two defence support packages for India, totaling $428.2 million. The first package, valued at $230 million, focuses on long-term sustainment for India’s M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers. It includes various support services and logistics, excluding major new defense equipment.
In a policy justification, the Pentagon highlighted that the sale aims to enhance the US-Indian strategic relationship and bolster India’s security as a key defense partner in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions. The support package for the M777A2 Howitzers involves ancillary items, spares, repair services, training, and technical assistance.
The second package, worth $198.2 million, is designated for follow-on support for India’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. It encompasses sustainment support services, engineering, technical and logistics support, personnel training, and related program support. The Pentagon reiterated that these sales align with US foreign policy objectives and will enhance India’s defense capabilities against current and future threats.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin are the principal contractors for the Apache support package, while BAE Systems is responsible for the M777A2 sustainment support. The notifications clarified that no additional US Government or contractor representatives will need to be assigned to India for the implementation of these sales.
Both packages are funded through India’s national funds and do not involve Major Defence Equipment or offset agreements at present. The US-India defense partnership has significantly strengthened in recent years, with bilateral defense trade surpassing $20 billion. The collaboration includes military exercises, defense technology cooperation, and logistics arrangements, underscoring the growing strategic ties between the two nations.
