Listen to this article in summarized format
Loading...
××
Subscribe to
Unlock AI Briefing and Premium Content
Subscribe NowWhat's Included
- Exclusive Stories
- Daily ePaper Access
- Smart Market Tools
- Curated Investment Ideas
- Ad-lite Experience
Subscription
New Delhi: Washington has cleared the supply of precision-guided munitions and anti-tank missiles to India after New Delhi made an urgent case for their acquisition in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. The US State Department has notified Congress about the impending contract.
India is buying Excalibur precision ammunition munitions and Javelin anti-tank missiles from the US as part of an emergency procurement drive after the May operation, to bolster the armed forces and make up for ammunition expended in the exchange of fire with Pakistan.
The Excalibur rounds were urgently needed, having been extensively used in Operation Sindoor. They were used to hit terrorist targets across the Line of Control (LoC). Excalibur rounds are fired from M777 155mm ultralight howitzers and can precisely hit targets at ranges of over 30 km, including fortified positions like bunkers.
Contracts Worth Over $92 million
At least seven targets were hit by these rounds during the operation. “The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first-strike accuracy in its brigades,” the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) noted. “India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
The emergency procurement — which is different from the normal process as the contract is signed within weeks of getting cleared and equipment delivered within a year — will see India getting 216 of the M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles. The contract is valued at around $47.1 million.
The other procurement cleared is for the potent Javelin anti-tank missile that is required by the army. The State Department has notified Congress that India will buy 101 of the FGM 148 Javelin rounds, as well as 25 launch units, at $45.7 million.
Both contracts will be executed by RTX Corp.
“The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats,” the DSCA said. Besides this, India has been placing orders for domestically produced weapon systems under the emergency procurement route after Operation Sindoor. Equipment being purchased includes loitering munitions, surveillance drones, anti-drone systems, a range of ammunition and radars.
India is buying Excalibur precision ammunition munitions and Javelin anti-tank missiles from the US as part of an emergency procurement drive after the May operation, to bolster the armed forces and make up for ammunition expended in the exchange of fire with Pakistan.
The Excalibur rounds were urgently needed, having been extensively used in Operation Sindoor. They were used to hit terrorist targets across the Line of Control (LoC). Excalibur rounds are fired from M777 155mm ultralight howitzers and can precisely hit targets at ranges of over 30 km, including fortified positions like bunkers.
Contracts Worth Over $92 million
At least seven targets were hit by these rounds during the operation. “The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first-strike accuracy in its brigades,” the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) noted. “India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
The emergency procurement — which is different from the normal process as the contract is signed within weeks of getting cleared and equipment delivered within a year — will see India getting 216 of the M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles. The contract is valued at around $47.1 million.
The other procurement cleared is for the potent Javelin anti-tank missile that is required by the army. The State Department has notified Congress that India will buy 101 of the FGM 148 Javelin rounds, as well as 25 launch units, at $45.7 million.
Both contracts will be executed by RTX Corp.
“The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats,” the DSCA said. Besides this, India has been placing orders for domestically produced weapon systems under the emergency procurement route after Operation Sindoor. Equipment being purchased includes loitering munitions, surveillance drones, anti-drone systems, a range of ammunition and radars.
