(Image source from: ndtv.com)

While the entire world is fighting the deadly coronavirus, United States just approved the sales of missles and torpedoes worth $155 million to India. The same includes the Harpoon Block II air and a few lightweight torpedoes.

The sale of these 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles is believed to cost around $92 million while the remaining 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes and three MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes amount to $63 million. The same was reported by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency in two separate notifications.

The decision for this was taken by the US State Department following a request that was put forth by the Indian government to the authorised officials.

As per the reports shared by Pentagon, the Harpoon missile system is believed to be integrated into the P-8I aircraft which will help with the anti-surface warfare missions in defense to some of the critical sea lanes around.

Further emphasising this, Pentagon stated saying, “India will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. India will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

The Harpoon missiles are going to be manufactured by Boeing while the torpedoes are going to be manufactured by Raytheon.

The sale of these items to India is expected to strengthen their capacity to fight against any possible threat that is thrown their way in the future. The MK 54 torpedoe is skilled enough to help with the anti-submarine warfare missions.

Pentagon has clarified saying that the sale of these items to India is going to support their existing military base and not alter the same.

This sale, according to Pentagon is also going to help support the foreign policy and national security of the country by strengthening the bond that US shares with India. This expected to pose as an important force when it comes to peace, political stability as well as the overall economic progress around.

By Somapika Dutta