US clears sale of Harpoon missiles, torpedoes worth $155 million to India

NEW DELHI: The US has notified the Congress its plans to sell to India air-launched anti-ship missiles and lightweight torpedoes worth $155 million to enhance the latter's deterrence capabilities against “regional threats" and boost its homeland defence. The sale of 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles is estimated to cost $92 million, while 16 Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes, and three Mark 54 exercise torpedoes are estimated to cost $63 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Monday in two separate notifications to the US Congress, according to a PTI report. But Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims. In the East China Sea, Beijing has territorial disputes with Japan. “India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defence. India will have no difficulty in absorbing this equipment into its armed forces," the Pentagon said. While the Harpoon missiles will be manufactured by Boeing, the torpedoes would be supplied by Raytheon, the notification said. The proposed sale, it said, will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The Mark 54 lightweight torpedos will provide the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare missions. The sale of neither piece of military equipment will alter the basic military balance in the region, the Pentagon said, adding that it would support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping strengthen strategic relationship with India.