US State Department approves potential FMS of AGM-84L Harpoon missiles and Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes for India's P-8I maritime aircraft

The US Department of State has approved potential Foreign Military Sales (FMSs) of air-launched AGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and Mk 54 All-Up-Round lightweight torpedoes (LWTs) – along with related equipment and services – to arm the Indian Navy’s (IN’s) Boeing P-8I Neptune long-range maritime multi-mission aircraft.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 13 April that the Indian government had requested the procurement of 10 of the anti-ship missiles along with containers, spares, support and test equipment.

Also included in the proposed AGM-84L deal, which is estimated to be worth USD92 million, are technical publications and related documentation, personnel training equipment, ‘specialised assignment airlift missions (SAAMs)’engineering systems and logistics support services.

The DSCA said that the proposed sale would “improve India's capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems”. Moreover, it pointed out that the missile system will be integrated onto the aircraft for anti-surface warfare missions “in defence of critical sea lanes, while enhancing interoperability with the US and other allied forces”.

The principal contractor would be Boeing in St Louis, Missouri.

In a separate statement issued that same day the DSCA said New Delhi had also requested to buy 16 Mk 54 lightweight and three Mk 54 exercise torpedoes.