As trade row eases, U.S. clears missile sale to India

As trade row eases, U.S. clears missile sale to India

In a move that further underscores the easing of trade tensions between India and the U.S., the U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of Javelin missiles and Excalibur projectiles and related equipment to India for an estimated total cost of $92.8 million, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Thursday. The DSCA said it had delivered the required certification notifying the U.S. Congress as well of the decisions.

Press releases issued in this connection said the proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S. by bolstering the U.S.-India strategic relationship and improving 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 deals come three days after India announced the conclusion of the first-ever long-term deal where Indian oil companies would import American LPG into the country.

“The Government of India has requested to buy up to two hundred sixteen (216) M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles,” a release said. “The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first strike accuracy in its brigades. India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”

In a separate release, the DSCA said India had requested to buy 100 FGM-148 Javelin rounds, one Javelin FGM-148 missile and 25 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU).

The release added that the sale of Javelin missiles to India would “strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats”.

The Excalibur deal is for $47.1 million and the Javelin deal is for $45.7 million.

The sixth round of formal negotiations on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) — earlier meant to have taken place in the last week of August — took place in October. Indian government officials and Ministers have again started talking about the conclusion of the first tranche of the BTA soon.

The DSCA release added the Excalibur deal would also include the supply of ancillary items, Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK), primers, propellant charges, U.S. Government technical assistance, technical data, repair and return services, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.