US clears $428 million defence support package for India’s Apache helicopters, M777 howitzers

The United States has approved a possible defence sale worth nearly $428.2 million to India involving support services, maintenance equipment and logistics assistance for Apache attack helicopters and M777 ultra-light howitzers currently operated by the Indian armed forces.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed package includes support for India’s AH-64E Apache helicopter fleet as well as M777 artillery systems used extensively by the Indian Army in high-altitude regions.

The US State Department approved the potential sales and formally notified the US Congress, which is required under American foreign military sales procedures.

The Apache support package is estimated at around $198.2 million and includes spare parts, technical assistance, maintenance support, training equipment and logistics services. Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been named as the principal contractors for the deal.

The second package relates to the M777 ultra-light howitzer systems and is valued at approximately $230 million. It includes repair parts, programme support, maintenance equipment and associated logistical assistance for the artillery platforms already deployed by India.

India had inducted Apache helicopters into the Indian Air Force beginning in 2019 under a multi-billion-dollar agreement signed with the US government and Boeing.

The Indian Army later also received Apache helicopters for its aviation corps. The attack helicopters are equipped with advanced targeting systems, Hellfire missiles and heavy machine guns, significantly boosting India’s offensive and anti-armour capabilities.

Similarly, the M777 ultra-light howitzers, acquired from the US under a government-to-government deal, have become a key component of India’s mountain warfare capability because of their lighter structure and ease of deployment in difficult terrain, including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

In its notification, the DSCA said the proposed sale would support US foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the strategic partnership with India, which it described as “an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress” in the Indo-Pacific region.

The agency also stated that the proposed support deals would improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats while enhancing interoperability between Indian and US forces.

The announcement comes amid steadily expanding defence ties between India and the United States over the past decade. India has emerged as one of the largest buyers of American defence equipment, procuring systems including P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, MH-60R helicopters, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and armed drones.

The latest approvals also come at a time when both countries are increasing strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific amid concerns over regional security, China’s military assertiveness and maritime security challenges.

Under US law, congressional approval is still required before the deals can move toward final execution, although such clearances for India are generally viewed as procedural given the growing strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi.

Defence cooperation between the two countries has accelerated further through joint military exercises, intelligence-sharing arrangements and defence technology initiatives under frameworks such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).