US clears $198.2 million Apache sustainment package for India under FMS
Washington, May 19. The US Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to India worth an estimated $198.2 million for follow-on sustainment and support of its AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
According to the notification, India has sought a package covering sustainment support services for the Apaches, along with US government and contractor-provided engineering, technical and logistics assistance, technical documentation and publications, personnel training, and other elements of programme and logistics support.
Washington said the proposed sale advances US foreign policy and national security objectives by reinforcing the strategic partnership with India, a major defence partner seen as contributing to political stability, peace and economic progress across the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. The support package is intended to help India address current and emerging threats, bolster homeland defence, and enhance deterrence capabilities.
US authorities assessed that India would be able to readily integrate the services into its armed forces and that the sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region. They also noted that the transaction would have no adverse impact on US defence readiness.
The principal contractors for the programme are Boeing in Arlington, Virginia, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida.
