US Approves $93M Arms Sale to India

The US State Department has approved the sale of $93 million worth of Javelin anti-tank missile systems and Excalibur guided artillery munitions to India. This move is seen as a sign of the reactivation of defense cooperation between the two countries after tensions in relations since August.

This is India's first major purchase of American military equipment under Washington's Foreign Military Sales program since US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%. That decision was a punitive measure in response to New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil.

A statement released by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) noted that this deal serves the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. "The proposed sale will support the strengthening of the strategic relationship between the US and India and will improve the security of our major defense partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asian regions," the statement said.

According to the agency, the Indian government had requested to purchase up to 216 Excalibur tactical projectiles and 100 Javelin systems. It should be noted that the Indian army already uses Excalibur-type munitions for its M-777 howitzers.

This deal also follows a new order for fighter jet engines manufactured by General Electric, which are intended for the Indian-made Tejas combat aircraft.

The main contractors for the deal will be RTX Corporation, responsible for the Excalibur shells, and a joint venture between RTX and Lockheed Martin, which will supply the Javelin systems.