US approves potential NASAMS FMS to India
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has received the green light for the potential FMS of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to India, in a contract worth $1.87bn.
The prime contractors are Raytheon and its Norwegian partner, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
At the core of the contract are five AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radar systems, 118 AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM missiles, three AMRAAM guidance sections, four AMRAAM control sections and 134 Stinger FIM-92L missiles.
India wishes to expand its air defence capabilities to counter airborne threats. The sale comes months after tensions with Pakistan escalated as a result of the Indian government’s decision to make controversial changes to Article 370 in August 2019 relating to the status of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region.
However, the DSCA said that: ‘This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
![Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west]()
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
