Pentagon nod for US Harpoon missile sale to India

New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) The US is likely to sell anti-ship Harpoon missiles to India at an estimated cost of $200 million in a bid to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The US Department of Defence in a release said the State Department has "made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India" and the Congress was notified about the required certification of this possible sale on July 1.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India for UGM-84L Harpoon missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 1, 2014," said the release.

"This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded," it said.

The Indian government, it said, had requested a possible sale of 12 UGM-84L Harpoon Block II Encapsulated Missiles, 10 UTM-84L Harpoon Encapsulated Training missiles, 2 Encapsulated Harpoon certification training vehicles, containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

This proposed sale, said the Pentagon, would "contribute" to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic relationship and to improve the security of an important partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia.

This Harpoon missile system will be employed on the Indian Navy's Shishumar class submarine (Type-209) and will provide enhanced capabilities in defense of critical sea lines of communication.

India has already bought Harpoon missiles for integration on Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft and Indian Navy P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.

India will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces, it said.

Also, this proposed sale of Harpoon missiles will "not alter" the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be the Boeing Company in St Louis, Missouri and Delex Systems Inc., in Vienna, Virginia.

In accordance with the Indian Defense Procurement Policy, a contractor may be expected to conclude offset agreements with the Government of India but no offset agreement is currently known to have been proposed in connection with this potential sale, said the release.

The implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor personnel to India. However, US government or contractor personnel in-country visits will be required on a temporary basis for programme, technical, and management oversight and support requirements for approximately five years.