India-US New Delhi/UNI: The United States has approved the sale of Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment to India for an estimated cost of $82 million, saying the deal will support its national security and foreign policy and help strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Defense delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Monday, and the State Department approved the Foreign Military Sale to the Indian government.
"The Government of India has requested to buy one (1) Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS). Also included is one (1) Harpoon Intermediate Level maintenance station; spare and repair parts, support, and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training; US Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $82 million," the DSCA said in a statement.
The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company, St. Louis, MO.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
This proposed sale, DSCA said, will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to 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 region."
"This proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing India with flexible and efficient Harpoon missile maintenance capabilities to ensure maximum force readiness.
"India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces," it said.
The proposed sale of the equipment and support, DSCA said, will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
There will also be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
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