The United States (US) signed deals with India for sale of military helicopters worth more than USD3 billion.
In a joint press conference held between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 25 February, the two highlighted of expanding their defense cooperation. They also revealed that agreements for India to acquire US military equipment, including Apache and MH-60 Romeo helicopters worth more than USD3 billion were sealed.
President Trump noted that the military deals will enable militaries of the two countries to train together, side by side thus advancing their capabilities.
Though no further details were provided into the military acquisitions, Indian military officials referenced by media and opens sources revealed that the signed deals were for 24 Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R multirole naval helicopters for the Indian Navy (IN) worth a total of USD2.6 billion, and for 6 Boeing ‘AH-64E(I)’ Apache Guardian attack helicopters for India’s Army Aviation Corps (AAC) worth a total of about USD800 million.
The officials further highlighted that India will purchase the MH-60R rotorcraft, which will feature both anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
The FMS share is comprised of the helicopters’ General Electric T700-701D turboshaft engines, radars electro-optical sensors, weapon systems – including Hydra-70 rockets and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The deal also covers training and platform certification.
