US clears $482 million support package for India's Apaches, M777 howitzers

New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) The United States has formally notified a proposed sale of sustainment support services and related equipment worth an estimated $482.2 million for India's Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of the Indian armed forces.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) -- which administers the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme -- has issued the notification in the Federal Register after the Department of State informed Congress last month about the possible sales.

According to the notification, India has requested long-term sustainment support for its M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, including ancillary equipment, spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot-level capability and other logistics support.

The proposed M777 support package is valued at approximately $230 million.

In addition, in a separate notification, the US Department of Defense said India has also sought sustainment support for its AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, including engineering, technical and logistics support services from the US government and contractors, technical publications, personnel training and related programme support.