The proposed sale of sustainment support services and associated equipment for India's Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, estimated to cost USD 482.2 million, has been publicly announced by the US.
The arms sales notification was published in the Federal Register on June 17 by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
The US Congress was notified on May 18 by the Department of State regarding potential sales of Apache helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers to India.
In order to improve its artillery capabilities, especially in hilly areas, India introduced the M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, which were purchased from the US under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) method.

For precision strike and battlefield support operations, the Indian Army also uses AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, which are thought to be among the most sophisticated combat helicopters in the world.
India has asked for long-term sustainability assistance for its M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, according to the announcement.Ancillary goods, spares, repairs and returns, training, technical support, field service representatives, depot capability, and other relevant aspects of program support and logistics will all be included. The announcement stated, "The estimated total cost is USD 230 million."
India has requested AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, technical data and publications, personnel training, and other related logistics and program support, according to a separate notification from the Department of Defense.

The Apache support package is expected to cost USD 198.2 million.

Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin will be the main contractors for the Apache support services agreement, and BAE Systems, based in Cumbria, UK, will be the main contractor for the M777 howitzer support program.
According to the Department of Defense, the planned sale of helicopters and howitzers will achieve US foreign policy and national security goals by bolstering the strategic partnership between the US and India.
Additionally, it will contribute to strengthening the security of a significant defense ally that is still a driving force behind political stability, peace, and economic advancement in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.The planned purchases will enhance India's domestic defense, increase its capacity to counter present and future challenges, and discourage regional threats. According to the Department of Defense, India will have no trouble integrating these goods and services into its armed forces.
It stated that the planned sales would neither negatively affect US defense readiness or change the fundamental military balance in the area.