US approves sale of $175 million light weight torpedoes to India
- In Reports
- 06:37 PM, Oct 09, 2024
- Myind Staff
The US State Department declared on October 7, 2024, that the US has approved the potential sale of MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes and related equipment to India, in a deal estimated to be worth about $175 million (Rs14.7 billion). India will be able to fight against submarines more effectively after the successful completion of the deal.
The US Navy and Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems worked together to design and develop the MK 54, an advanced lightweight torpedo. A sizable amount of the torpedoes' hardware will be purchased straight from US Navy stock. The US Navy's Mark 46 torpedo was replaced by the MK 54, which was made to be launched from surface vessels, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. The torpedo can strike any target in any depth of water as it can operate in both littoral and deep-water environments.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency detailed India's request for 53 MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes in a notification to Congress. The request also included recoverable exercise torpedoes, air-launch accessories, spare parts, torpedo containers, and a variety of technical support services, including program management, training, and infrastructure maintenance.
India plans to incorporate the MK 54 torpedoes, which are intended for use in anti-submarine warfare, into its MH-60R helicopter fleet. India previously purchased these multi-role helicopters from the US, and they are equipped to identify and eliminate underwater threats. Through the purchase, India will be able to increase the size of its anti-submarine arsenal and strengthen its defences against current and potential threats in the Indo-Pacific area.
The agreement is viewed as a component of a larger plan to fortify defence relations between the US and India, which Washington considers an essential ally in preserving harmony and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. India has been strengthening its defence capabilities through a number of arms agreements in recent years, most of which are with the US.
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