Washington: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in Washington announced that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved a possible foreign military sale of anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys and related equipment to India for an estimated $52.8 million.
The development came up on the same day that US counterpart Lloyd Austin and Indian defense minister Rajnath Singh held extensive talks to strengthen bilateral ties at the Pentagon. The discussions focused on a wide range of topics, including industrial cooperation, regional security, defense cooperation, the Indo-Pacific region, and other critical international issues.
By boosting its ability to carry out anti-submarine warfare operations from its MH-60R helicopters, which are of US origin, the equipment will increase India’s capacity to meet threats.
India raised its first MH-60R helicopter squadron in March, using the six choppers that had been delivered up to that point. In 2020, India placed an order with Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky for 24 MH-60R multi-role helicopters, valued at approximately ₹17,500 crore, with the US to update its aging fleet of naval helicopters.
All helicopters will be delivered by 2025.
The DSCA statement provided specifics about the Indian Navy’s requirements, saying, “The Government of India has requested to buy AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys; technical and publications and data documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support; and other related elements of logistics and program services and support.”
It further stated that by enhancing the security of a significant defense partner and strengthening the US-India strategic relationship, the proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security goals. India is still a major force for political stability, peace, and economic advancement in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.
A roadmap for defense industry cooperation between the US and India was approved last year. In vital fields like air combat and land mobility systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, munitions, and the underwater domain, it aims to expedite technological cooperation and co-production.
Austin and Singh met on Friday following the signing of two important agreements by the US and India to strengthen defense cooperation: a memorandum of agreement regarding the assignment of liaison officers to improve communication, understanding, interoperability, and cooperation on matters of mutual interest; and the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), which guarantees the mutual supply of defense goods and services to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions.
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