The USA has approved the sale of Excalibur precision-guided artillery and Javelin anti-tank missile systems to India. The total cost of the two deals is nearly 93 million dollars. Further, the system will be acquired through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route, meaning the US Government stands as guarantor for all the contractual obligations.
Excalibur is fired using M-777 Ultra Light Howitzer, a specialised artillery gun, which India had bought ten years ago. Weighing approximately 16 kgs and shoulder-fired, the Javelin is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons.
Announcing this important decision late Wednesday, the Defence Security Co-operation Agency in Washington described India as an “important force” for political stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions. The US also said the sale will improve the security of a “major defence partner.”
The government of India has requested to buy up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles, it said. Non-MDE (major defence equipment) items that will also be included in the sale are ancillary items.