Days after India airlifted more that 29 million tablets of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to the US for its battle against the raging coronavirus pandemic there, the Donald Trump administration reciprocated the gesture by giving the nod for sale of missiles and torpedoes worth over 155 million dollars to India. Moreover, this approval on Monday came a few weeks after the two countries inked two deals worth over three billion dollars during the US President’s visit to New Delhi.
India is the biggest producer of the anti-malaria drug HCQ in the world and Trump, who believes that this drug will be the “game changer” in battling the pandemic, had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lift the export ban on it. The restrictions were imposed on March 25 and following request from Trump and some other world leaders, the ban was relaxed last week.
Thanking Modi, Trump had said on Wednesday last week said India's help during this crisis will not be forgotten.
Given this backdrop and also the US President’s assertion during his visit to India that his country is always willing to supply state-of-the-art weapons to the Indian armed forces besides forging closer military to military alliance, the US administration on Monday notified the Congress of its determination to sell Harpoon Block II air launched missiles and lightweight torpedoes worth USD 155 million to India.
The sale of 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles is estimated to cost USD 92 million, while 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes and three MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes are estimated to cost USD 63 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in two separate notifications to the Congress.
A determination in this regard was recently made by the US State Department following a request for these two weapons systems by the Indian government, the Pentagon said. According to the Pentagon, the Harpoon missile system will be integrated into the P-8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to conduct anti-surface warfare missions in defence of critical sea lanes while enhancing inter-operability with the United States and other allied forces.
The Indian Navy has eight P-8I aircraft and will go in for four more such aircraft to enhance its reach in the strategically important Indian Ocean where growing maritime prowess of China is a matter of concern.
"India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. India intends to utilize MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes on its P-8I aircraft.
India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces," the Pentagon said. While the Harpoon missiles will be manufactured by Boeing, the torpedoes would be supplied by Raytheon, the notification said.
The proposed sale, it said, will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo will provide the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare missions.
In both the notifications, the Pentagon said the proposed sale of these equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. According to the Pentagon, this proposed sale 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 defensive partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.