The United States has approved two defence support packages for India worth nearly $428.2 million. The deals are aimed at keeping India’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers operational and battle-ready. The approvals come under the US Foreign Military Sales programme and reflect the growing defence cooperation between New Delhi and Washington.

The move comes at a time when India and the United States are strengthening strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific region. The US has repeatedly described India as a major defence partner and an important player in maintaining regional stability in South Asia.

According to notifications released by the US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs on May 18, the bigger package is valued at around $230 million and is linked to the sustainment of India’s M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers. The package includes spare parts, repair and return services, technical assistance, personnel training, depot maintenance capability, field service representatives and other logistics and programme support elements. Defence company BAE Systems will be the principal contractor for this package.

In a separate approval, the US cleared another package worth nearly $198.2 million for India’s Apache helicopter fleet. The support package includes sustainment services for the AH-64E Apache helicopters, engineering and logistics support, technical publications, training for personnel and several other programme support services. Aerospace giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been named as the principal contractors for the Apache-related support programme.

The US State Department said both proposed sales are meant to strengthen defence ties between the two countries. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship,” the State Department said.

Washington also stated that the support packages would help India improve its capability to respond to “current and future threats”, strengthen homeland defence and deter regional challenges. The US further clarified that these proposed sales would not change the military balance in the region and would not affect American defence preparedness.

The approval has come only weeks after the Indian Army demonstrated the combat capabilities of the Apache helicopters during the ‘Brahmastra’ live firing exercise at the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan. During the exercise, the helicopters carried out precision attacks using Hellfire missiles, rockets and onboard gun systems in a simulated battlefield environment.

The Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters are among the most advanced attack helicopters currently in service across the world. They are equipped with modern targeting systems, Longbow radar, night-vision sensors and all-weather operational capability. These features allow the helicopters to carry out missions in difficult combat situations and during night operations.

India has steadily expanded defence cooperation with the United States over the past decade through major arms purchases, joint military exercises and technology-sharing initiatives. Defence ties between the two countries have grown significantly as both nations increase strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. The latest approvals are being seen as another important step in deepening military collaboration between India and the US.