New Delhi: The possible sale of the Javelin missile system, Excalibur projectiles, and related equipment at a total estimated cost of $92.8 million has been approved by United States. India will soon receive the Javelin Missile System and Excalibur Projectiles along with other related equipment, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the US stated in a notification.
The proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic partnership relationship, said DSCA.
According to the DSCA statement, the first sale package to India worth $45.7 million includes the Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; 25 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU). The package also comprises non-major defence equipment: Javelin LwCLU or CLU Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; battery coolant unit; interactive electronic technical manual; Javelin operator manuals; lifecycle support; physical security inspection; spare parts; system integration and check out; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance; tool kits; training; Block 1 CLU refurbishment services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
Meanwhile, the second sale package approves possible sale of Excalibur Projectiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $47.1 million.
India had requested to buy up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles, said the DSCA in a separate statement. “The following non-MDE items will also be included: ancillary items; Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK); primers; propellant charges; US government technical assistance; technical data; repair and return services; and other related elements of logistics and program support,” the statement added.
The sale would 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 DSCA statement stated. Adding, “The proposed sale will 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 agency further said, “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” The sale would have no adverse impact on American defence readiness, DSCA pointed out.
