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US notifies $428 million sale of support services for Apache helicopters, M777A2 howitzers to India

These services include logistics support, personnel training, contractor engineering, spares as well as repairs to the two platforms.

Updated on: Jun 22, 2026, 21:59:02 IST
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The US War Department has notified Congress that it plans to sell India defence articles and sustainment services worth $428 million, in order to sustain defence platforms operated by India like the M777A2 Howitzer artillery guns and Apache helicopters. These services include logistics support, personnel training, contractor engineering, spares as well as repairs to the two platforms.

The Department of Defense said India has sought AH-64E Apache sustainment support services. (Representative image) (REUTERS)
The Department of Defense said India has sought AH-64E Apache sustainment support services. (Representative image) (REUTERS)

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions,” the War Department said of its two sales to India in its notification to Congress. The sales will be approved unless legislators in Congress mobilise to oppose the sale, which is not expected to take place in the present case.

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According to the US Congressional Research Service, America has completed the delivery of 28 Apache helicopters - which are used by the Indian Army and Air Force - and 145 M777 Howitzers.

India initially announced the purchase of 22 Apache Helicopters, which are manufactured by Boeing, in 2015 in a multi-billion dollar contract. This was followed in 2016 by a bilateral agreement to sell India 145 M777 Howitzer guns in a contract that was valued at roughly $737 million.

In November 2025, the US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of the Javelin anti-tank missile system and related equipment for an estimated cost of $45.7 million. It also approved a possible sale of Excalibur projectiles for an estimated cost of $47.1 million.

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These defence sales reflect continued progress in the bilateral security partnership despite broader India-US tensions that built up in the relationship over the course of 2025. In October, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a 10-year defence framework in an effort to further deepen bilateral security ties in the Indo-Pacific region.

High level defence visits have also continued. Washington has hosted all three of India’s service chiefs over the last year even as India saw visits from US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and US Space Command chief General Stephen Whiting.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shashank Mattoo

Shashank Mattoo is the Washington DC-based US Correspondent for Hindustan Times. Shashank covers the Trump administration, the India-US relationship and America's policies towards South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific.

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