India to Buy Harpoon Missile Worth $ 15.5 Million, US Approves Sale of Lightweight Torpedoes

Washington : US President Donald Trump’s administration has conveyed to Parliament its commitment to sell $ 15.5 million Harpoon Block II Air Launched Missiles and Light Weight Torpedoes to India. The Defense Security Co-operation Agency told Parliament in two different notifications that these 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles cost $ 9.2 million, while the light-weight 16 Mk 54 all round torpedoes and three Mk 54 exercise torpedoes are priced close to $ 6.3 million.

The Pentagon said that ‘the US State Department took a decision in this regard after the Indian government demanded them. Regarding Harpoon Block II, the Pentagon said that India would use it to combat regional threats and increase the security. India will have no difficulty in incorporating this equipment in its armed forces.’

Regarding the MK 54 in another notification, the Pentagon said that India would use it to combat regional threats and increase the security of nation. India wants to use the lightweight Mk 54 torpedo from its P-84 aircraft. India will have no difficulty in this.

According to the Pentagon, this proposed sale will help strengthen US-Indian strategic relations and strengthen the security of a major defensive partner and will be critical for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.