The contract includes night vision sensors, GPS
guidance and hundreds of Hellfire anti-armor and Stinger air-to-air missiles. The
Apache attack helicopters could enable Indian armed forces to tackle ground-armored
threats.
In a move that could be a big boost for India's
defensive capabilities, the US State Department on Tuesday approved the sale of
six Boeing AH-64E Apache Choppers. The agreement has
been passed to the US Congress for approval, but if no US lawmaker raises an
objection the contract is expected to go ahead.
Boeing and Tata have begun to produce Apache
fuselages a plant in India, but Tuesday’s approval concerns a direct sale of
finished products from US manufacturers.
According to a news release from Defense
Security Cooperation Agency, the sale of the attack helicopters - as requested
by India - would help in strengthening US-Indian strategic relationship and to
'improve the security of an important partner which continues to be an
important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South
Asia.'
“India will have no difficulty to absorbing the
choppers and support equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this
equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
While the release highlights that the proposed
sale won't alter the basic military balance in South Asia, Apart from the
attack helicopter, the US State Department also approved sale of four AN/APG-78
Fire Control Radars, 180 AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow missiles, 90 AGM-114R-3
Hellfire II missiles, 200 Stinger Block
I-92H missiles, Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Systems, 30mm cannons,
transponders, simulators, training equipment etc. The total cost of the deal is
said to be around $930 million.
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