US Approves $52.8M Anti-Submarine Warfare Equipment Sale to India

The US has approved a $52.8 million sale of anti-submarine warfare equipment to India. This move is expected to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and enhance India's anti-submarine capabilities. The main contractors are Sparton Corporation and Undersea Sensor Systems Inc.

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has sanctioned a potential foreign military sale to India worth USD 52.8 million, consisting of anti-submarine warfare Sonobuoys and related apparatus. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency formally notified Congress of this potential deal.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, a subsection of the United States Department of Defence, revealed that the Indian government has requested the purchase of various AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys, along with their technical documentation and support services.

This proposed acquisition aims to fortify US foreign policy and national security goals by bolstering the strategic alliance between the US and India, consequently enhancing stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions. The sale will significantly augment India's ability to counter current and future threats via improved anti-submarine operations from its MH-60R helicopters. The agency emphasized that the deal will not shift the military balance in the region, noting Sparton Corporation and Undersea Sensor Systems Inc. as the principal contractors involved.

(With inputs from agencies.)