The US State Department has approved the proposed sale to India of an Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) for $1.9 billion. The approval is set to help India improve its air defense architecture to avert aerial threats.
The approval includes five AN/MPQ-64Fl Sentinel radar systems, Fire Distribution Centers (FDC), Electrical Optical/Infrared sensor systems, and Multi-spectral Targeting System-Model A (MTS-A). It also includes 118 AMRAAM AIM-120C-7/C-8 missiles, three AMRAAM Guidance Sections, four AMRAAM Control Sections, and 134 Stinger FIM-92L missiles, along with Dual Mount Stinger Air Defense Systems and Vehicle Mounted Stinger Rapid Ranger Air Defense Systems, canister launchers, and high mobility launchers.
Additionally, the potential sale includes 32 M4A1 rifles, 40,320 M855 5.56mm cartridges, communications equipment, range and test programs, infrastructure improvements, U.S. government and contractor support, training equipment, and other logistics and program support.
The air defense systems are said to help India protect itself from potential attacks in the form of; enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones, as well as hijacked airliners. The possible purchase can be attributed to the need for India’s need to protect itself and avoid an incidence like the 2019 standoff with Pakistan. India has been strengthening the various aspects of its defense components to deter attacks due to its close geographical proximity to the volatile Middle East.
