US clears $428-mn support package for India’s M777 howitzers and Apache helicopters
New Delhi, June 24. The United States has approved two separate long-term technical support programmes worth an estimated $428 million (around ₹4,000 crore) for key platforms operated by the Indian armed forces, including the Army’s M777 ultra-light howitzer and the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters flown by both the Army and the Air Force.
According to notifications issued by the US government, Washington has cleared a $230-million sustainment package for India’s fleet of M777 ultra-light howitzers, which played a prominent role during Operation Sindoor by carrying out precision strikes against targets in Pakistan.
The support package includes ancillary equipment, spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot-level capabilities and other logistics and programme support requirements aimed at ensuring the long-term operational readiness of the artillery systems.
The approval comes months after India replenished its stocks of the precision-guided Excalibur artillery ammunition used by the M777 guns during Operation Sindoor. The Excalibur rounds, capable of striking targets with high accuracy, were reportedly employed against terrorist camps in Pakistan on May 7 last year.
Following the operation, India signed a $47.1-million agreement with the US to procure 216 Excalibur projectiles. India had earlier acquired 145 M777 howitzers from the US nearly a decade ago.
In a separate approval, Washington also cleared a $198.2-million sustainment package for India’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The package covers engineering, technical and logistics support services provided by the US government and contractors, along with technical documentation, publications, personnel training and other associated programme support.
Both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army operate Apache helicopters, which are deployed along India’s western and northern frontiers.
The US said the proposed sales support its national security objectives by strengthening the strategic partnership with India and enhancing the capabilities of a major defence partner that contributes to political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asian regions.
Washington added that the support programmes would improve India’s ability to counter current and emerging threats, bolster homeland defence and enhance deterrence against regional challenges.
