New Delhi, Nov 19

United Stated, on Wednesday, approved the sales of Excalibur artillery shells and Javelin anti-tank guided missile system to India for USD 92.8 million. "The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of Excalibur Projectiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $47.1 million," informed US Defense Security Cooperation Agency in a statement.

"The Government of India has requested to buy up to two hundred sixteen (216) M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles. The following non-MDE items will also be included: ancillary items; Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK); primers; propellant charges; U.S. Government technical assistance; technical data; repair and return services; and other related elements of logistics and program support," the statement added.

The contract is being executed by RTX Corporation.

In another release, DSCA approves Indian request "to buy one hundred (100) FGM-148 Javelin rounds; one (1) Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; and twenty-five (25) Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU). The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: Javelin LwCLU or CLU Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; battery coolant unit; interactive electronic technical manual; Javelin operator manuals; lifecycle support; physical security inspection; spare parts; system integration and check out; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance; tool kits; training; Block 1 CLU refurbishment services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $45.7 million."

The significance of the approvals lie in its timing as the two nations are struggling to maintain a cordial political relations amidst the tariff and trade standoff.