U.S. State Department approves $1 billion arms sale to India

The proposed sale will include ammunition, spare parts, training of personnel and equipment, technical data, publications, technical and logistical assistance and transport.

The 5-inch 62-caliber Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun system. Photo: baesystems.com

The State Department has approved an arms deal valued at just over $1 billion, in which the U.S. could sell India up to 13 MK 45 5 inch/ 62 caliber (MOD 4) naval guns and related equipment, a press statement from the Department of Defense (DoD) said. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the DoD body that implements the U.S.’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, delivered its certification of the proposed sale to the U.S. Congress, as per the statement. Congress has a thirty day window from when the certification is received to raise any objections to the sale.

“The MK-45 Gun System will provide the capability to conduct antisurface warfare and anti-air defense missions while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces,” the DoD statement said. “India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.”

The sale approval was in response to a Government of India request to buy the guns and 3,500 D349 Projectile, 5”/54 MK 92 MOD 1 Ammunition.The proposed sale will include ammunition, spare parts, training of personnel and equipment, technical data, publications, technical and logistical assistance and transport.