India to get most advanced helicopters
President Donald Trump has signed US$3 billion worth of defence deals with India during state visit 24-25 Feb 2020, taking the two countries ties to a comprehensive global partnership level.
India will buy 30 military helicopters–six AH-64 Apache and 24 MH-60 Romeo Helicopter from the US for the Indian armed forces, announced Trump after lengthy bilateral discussions with the visit President.
“Defence cooperation between two countries is reflective of rising strategic partnership between India and US,” the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in welcoming the deals.
The MH-60 Romeo is considered one of the world’s finest Multi-role Helicopters and is capable of launching an accurate attack by locating enemy submarines and warships in the sea.
With radar, missile and rocket systems installed on it, the helicopter has the capability of night vision and can be deployed in search and rescue operations in the sea.
These helicopters can also be deployed on India’s aircraft carriers and destroyers.
The Indian Army will also get Apache combat helicopters, missiles from which can destroy tanks weighing 70 tons. With Apache, India’s airstrikes will be more deadly than before, according to military experts.
“These deals will enhance our joint defence capabilities as our militaries continue to train and operate side-by-side,” said Trump.
Meanwhile, Boeing has welcomed India’s decision to acquire AH-64E Apache helicopters.
“The AH-64E Apache will be a force multiplier for the Indian Army, just as it is today for the Indian Air Force,” said Boeing India President Salil Gupte.
“Through our local entity, Boeing Defence India, we are supporting the P-8I, C-17, CH-47 Chinook, and AH-64E Apache with holistic life-cycle support to assist with India’s defence modernisation effort and mission-readiness at competitive costs,” he said.
The bilateral defence trade touched US$18 billion mark in 2019, reflecting growing defence cooperation between the two sides the importance of which have been underlined by Washington and New Delhi.
Led by the two governments, defence corporations of both countries have been working out strategies for joint ventures and collaborations, especially manufacturing in India for domestic market and exports. fiinews.com
