US Approves Future Support for India’s Apache Gunships, M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers

The US has approved a future sale of support services, related equipment, and sustainment supplies to India’s Apache gunships and M777A2 ultralight howitzers at a cumulative cost of $428.2 million.

The US Department of State said the approvals were for possible supplies to the Apache fleet and the existing inventory of M777 howitzers of the Indian armed forces.

Of the total estimated cost, $198.2 million would be for Apache supplies, and the remaining $230 million would be for the M777 guns.

US aerospace and defence major Boeing Company would be the principal contractor for the Apache supplies, and Lockheed Martin, while BAE Systems would handle the M777 supplies.

The US said India requested approvals to buy AH-64E Apache sustainment support services; US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; technical data and publications; personnel training; and other related elements of logistics and program support.  

India also requested to buy long-term sustainment support for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers. The contract, when signed, would involve the following non-major defence equipment items: ancillary items; spares; repair and return; training; technical assistance; field service representative; depot capability; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The possible sale of support services for the helicopters and howitzers would be through the Foreign Military Sales channels, the US said, adding that the proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the US-India strategic relationship.

“It will also help 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 US announcement said.

The proposed sales would improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and deter regional threats, it said. India would have no difficulty absorbing these supplies and services into its armed forces, it added.

“The proposed sales of the equipment and support would not alter the basic military balance in the region. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the US Department of State said.