Apache Choppers, Howitzers: US Clears $428-Million Defence Support To India

The approvals come amid expanding defence cooperation between India and the United States, which have steadily deepened military ties over the past decade through arms sales, joint military exercises and technology-sharing initiatives.

19 May 2026, 04:46 · NDTV

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US clears $428.2 million in military sales to India for Apache helicopters and M777 howitzers
$230 million deal covers long-term support for M777 A2 ultra-light howitzers by BAE Systems
$198.2 million sale includes follow-on support and equipment for Apache helicopters by Boeing

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Washington:

The Donald Trump administration in the United States has cleared two potential foreign military sales to India worth a combined $428.2 million, covering follow-on support for AH-64E Apache helicopters and sustainment assistance for M-777 A2 ultra-light howitzers, according to the US State Department.

The proposed agreements were announced by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs in separate congressional notifications. The package for long-term sustainment support for M-777 A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, valued at an estimated $230 million, include "ancillary items; spares; repair and return; training; technical assistance; field service representative; depot capability; and other related elements of logistics and programme support," the statement said.

The principal contractor for the howitzer support package will be BAE Systems.

The other package for sale of Apache helicopters' follow-on support services and related equipment is valued at $198.2 million, for which contractors are Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The Indian Army received its first two artillery gun systems from the US in 2017.

In a separate notification, the State Department approved a possible $198.2 million sale linked to Apache helicopters.

"The US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for its purchase of Apache Helicopters, follow-on support services and related equipment," the statement said.

Both notifications stressed that the proposed sales would support Washington's broader strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States 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," the State Department said, using identical language in both notifications.

The proposed sales would 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," the statement said.

The State Department further noted that the proposed sales "will not alter the basic military balance in the region" and would have "no adverse impact on US defence readiness".

The approvals come amid expanding defence cooperation between India and the United States, which have steadily deepened military ties over the past decade through arms sales, joint military exercises and technology-sharing initiatives.

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