US, India to seal $1.9 bn Integrated Air Defence System deal
11 Feb 2020
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The US State Department has approved the sale of an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) to India for an estimated cost of $1.867 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on 7 February 2020.
The Trump administration has notified to the US Congress of its determination to sell India the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), the agency said on Monday.
India has requested to buy an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) comprisng of five AN/MPQ-64Fl Sentinel radar systems; 118 AMRAAM AIM-120C-7/C-8 missiles; three AMRAAM Guidance Sections; four AMRAAM control sections; and 134 Stinger FIM-92L missiles.
Also included are 32 M4A1 rifles; 40,320 M855 5.56mm cartridges; Fire Distribution Centers (FDC); Handheld Remote Terminals; Electrical Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems; AMRAAM Non-Developmental Item-Airborne Instrumentation Units (NDIAIU); Multi-spectral Targeting System-Model A (MTS-A); Canister Launchers (CN); High Mobility Launchers (HML); Dual Mount Stinger (DMS) Air Defence Systems; Vehicle Mounted Stinger Rapid Ranger Air Defence Systems; communications equipment; tool kits; test equipment; range and test programs; support equipment; prime movers; generators; technical documentation; computer based training equipment; training equipment; training towers; ammunition storage; training and maintenance facilities; infrastructure improvements; US government and contractor technical support, engineering and logistics support services; warranty services; Systems and Integration Checkout (SICO); field office support; and other related elements of logistics and programme support. The total estimated cost is $1.867 billion.
The entire system is estimated to cost $1.867 billion, the State Department has told the Congress in a notification.
"India intends to use these defence articles and services to modernise its armed forces, and to expand its existing air defence architecture to counter threats posed by air attack," the State Department said.
The proposed sale comes ahead of a possible visit by President Donald Trump to India later this month
Trump is set to visit India on a two-day trip between 23 and 26 February and both governments are in the process of fine-tuning his schedule, according to sources in New Delhi.
India and the US are also set to seal a trade deal during Trump's planned visit, they said.
The proposed sale IADWS will contribute to India’s military goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between India, the US, and other allies, the State Department added.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region," the notification said.
.webp)
