US Approves Sale Of Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys, Related equipment To India

United States has approved the sale of Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys and related equipment to India for an estimated cost of $52.8 million. 

This move comes as Defence Minister Rajnath is on an official visit to the United States.

The Foreign Military Sale (FMS) was approved by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following which the Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying US Congress of this possible sale on Friday (23 August).

"The Government of India has requested to buy AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys; technical and publications and data documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support; and other related elements of logistics and program services and support," the agency said in a release.

The agency said that this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by "helping to strengthen the United States-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 proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its capacity to conduct anti-submarine warfare operations from its MH-60R helicopters.

India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces, it said.

The agency further said that the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

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