US clears sale of anti-ship Harpoon missile deal with India
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Washington, August 04: Strengthening its bond with India, United States approved the sale of Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment to India.
According to the Pentagon, the US has approved the sale of the anti-ship missile to India for an estimated cost of USD 82 million to India, which would help it improve the security of a major defensive partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
It should be noted that The Government of India has requested to buy one Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS). Also included is one Harpoon Intermediate Level maintenance station; spare and repair parts, support, and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training; US Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying the US Congress of this possible sale on Monday, according to an official statement.
Pentagon it the statement said that this proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing India with flexible and efficient Harpoon missile maintenance capabilities to ensure maximum force readiness. India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
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The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June 2016, the US recognised India as a "Major Defence Partner", which commits the U.S. to facilitate technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners, and industry collaboration for defence co-production and co-development.
About the missile
- The Harpoon is a U.S.-designed subsonic anti-ship cruise missile that has been in service since 1977.
- It is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system.
- It has a low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory with active radar guidance. This weapon system is versatile, capable of also being launched from aircraft, trucks, and submarines.
- To strike targets on land and ships in port, the missile uses GPS-aided inertial navigation to hit a designated target Aimpoint.
- The 500-pound blast warhead delivers lethal firepower against a wide variety of land-based targets, including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, port/industrial facilities, and ships in port.
- The Harpoon missile is the world's most successful anti-ship missile and is in service with the armed forces of more than 30 countries, according to the US defence major.
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