Biden nod for $1.1bn sale of logistics for naval choppers

NEW DELHI: US govt has approved proposed sale of equipment and follow-on support worth $1.1 billion to India for multi-mission MH-60R Seahawk helicopters already being inducted by Indian Navy.

The Biden administration notified the US Congress that India wanted to procure 30 multifunctional information distribution system-joint tactical radio systems, advanced data transfer systems, external fuel tanks, forward looking infrared systems, and identification friend or foe equipment, among others, as well as training and logistics support services for MH-60R helicopters.

Navy in March this year had commissioned its first squadron of six submarine-hunting MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, armed with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes and precision-kill rockets, at INS Garuda in Kochi, as was then reported by TOI.

By next year, India is slated to induct all the 24 heavy-duty Seahawks, which are also equipped with multi-mode radars and night-vision devices, under the Rs 15,157 crore ($2.13 billion) contract inked with the US in Feb 2020.

The Biden administration said the new sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by helping to strengthen bilateral strategic relationship with India. It will 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 regions".

"The proposed sale will improve India's capability to deter current and future threats. The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it added.