The United States has approved possible sale of the Javelin missile system, Excalibur projectiles, and related equipment at a total estimated cost of $92.8 million. In two statements published on Wednesday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said that it delivered the required certifications, notifying Congress.
The DSCA said that the proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic partnership relationship.
What Do The Sale Packages Include?
The first sale package to India worth $45.7 million includes the Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; 25 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU), the DSCA said in a statement.
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The package also comprises non-major defence equipment: Javelin LwCLU or CLU Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; battery coolant unit; interactive electronic technical manual; Javelin operator manuals; lifecycle support; physical security inspection; spare parts; system integration and check out; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance; tool kits; training; Block 1 CLU refurbishment services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The second sale package, meanwhile, approves possible sale of Excalibur Projectiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $47.1 million.
In a separate statement, the DSCA said that India had requested to buy up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles.
“The following non-MDE items will also be included: ancillary items; Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK); primers; propellant charges; US government technical assistance; technical data; repair and return services; and other related elements of logistics and program support,” the statement added.
‘Sale Will Improve India’s Capability to Meet Threats’
The DSCA said on Wednesday that the sale would improve “the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.”
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“The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats. India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” it added.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the agency further said.
The DSCA pointed out that the sale would have no adverse impact on American defence readiness.