New Delhi:The US has formally notified the proposed sale of sustainment support services and related equipment for Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers for India at an estimated cost of $482.2 million. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which administers Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme of the US, issued the arms sales notification in the Federal Register on June 17.The notification came a month after the Department of State on May 18 informed the US Congress about the possible sales of services for Apache and M777A2 howitzers to India. India had inducted the M777A2 Howitzers to bolster its artillery capabilities, particularly in mountainous terrain. The Indian Army also operates AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for precision strike and battlefield support missions.While the principal contractors for the Apache support services deal will be Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin, for the howitzers support, the principal contractor will be BAE Systems.Saying “the Govt of India has requested to buy long-term sustainment support for M777A2 ultra-light howitzers”, the State Dept had recently said, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to 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.”On the helicopter package, the State Dept had recently said, “Govt of India has requested to buy AH-64E Apache sustainment support services; US govt and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; technical data and publications; personnel training; and other related elements of logistics and program support.” Saying the “proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region”, it further said the deal 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.”India had bought a total of 28 Apache AH-64E helicopters from the US in two separate deals for the IAF ($2.2 billion) and Indian Army ($930 million), all of which have been delivered. While 22 helicopters were delivered for the IAF between 2019 and 2020, six Apaches in batches of two, were received by the Indian Army by Dec 2025.On Nov 30, 2016, India had signed a govt-to-govt contract with the US to purchase 145 M777A2 howitzers. The $737 million deal was finalised under the foreign military sales (FMS) programme. While BAE Systems supplied the first 25 guns in ready-to-use “fly-away” condition, the remaining 120 guns were assembled in India in partnership with Mahindra Defence Systems to support domestic defence manufacturing.
