US Approves $428 Million Defence Support Package for India’s Apache Helicopters and M777 Howitzers

Washington, May 2026 : The United States has approved two major Foreign Military Sales proposals for India worth a combined $428.2 million, aimed at strengthening long-term operational support for the Indian Armed Forces’ AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers.

The approvals were announced by the US State Department through separate congressional notifications issued by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs on May 18, reflecting the continuing expansion of strategic and defence cooperation between India and the United States.

The larger package, valued at an estimated $230 million, relates to sustainment support for the M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers currently in service with the Indian Army.

In its notification, the State Department said it had approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to India for “long-term sustainment support for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers”.

According to the proposal, India has requested a comprehensive support package that includes ancillary equipment, spare parts, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot-level capability support, and additional logistics and programme assistance required for the long-term maintenance and operation of the artillery systems.

The principal contractor for the M777 howitzer support package will be BAE Systems.

The M777A2 ultra-light howitzers are among the most advanced artillery guns in the Indian Army’s inventory and are particularly suited for deployment in mountainous and high-altitude regions because of their lightweight design and mobility.

In a separate notification, the State Department also approved a possible $198.2 million package linked to sustainment and follow-on support for India’s fleet of AH-64E Apache helicopters.

“The US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for its purchase of Apache Helicopters follow-on support services and related equipment,” the notification stated.

Under the proposal, India has sought AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, along with engineering, technical and logistics assistance from both the US government and defence contractors. The package also includes technical publications, personnel training and related programme support.

The principal contractors associated with the Apache package are Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

The Apache helicopters are a critical component of India’s combat aviation capability and are deployed for offensive operations, battlefield support and high-precision strike missions.

In both notifications, the State Department underlined that the proposed defence sales align with broader American strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region and support the growing defence partnership with India.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions,” the State Department said.

The US government further stated that the proposed support packages would improve India’s ability to address current and future security threats while enhancing homeland defence capabilities and deterrence preparedness.

According to the notifications, India is fully capable of integrating the equipment and support systems into its armed forces without difficulty.

The State Department also clarified that the proposed sales would not alter the fundamental military balance in the region and would have no adverse effect on US military readiness.

The approvals come at a time when defence cooperation between India and the United States has significantly expanded through joint military exercises, high-end defence acquisitions, intelligence cooperation and technology-sharing initiatives.

Over the past decade, India has emerged as one of the United States’ key strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific, with both countries deepening cooperation in areas ranging from maritime security and defence manufacturing to emerging military technologies and regional stability.