The Trump administration has notified the sale of Harpoon air-launched anti-ship missiles and Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes worth $155 million to India to enhance its deterrent capabilities against “regional threats” and to bolster its homeland defence.

The sale of 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles is estimated to cost $92 million, while 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes and three MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes are estimated to cost $63 million, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in notification to the Congress.

Arms deal with an eye on China

The US State Department made this determination following a request for these two military hardware made by the Indian government, the Pentagon said amidst China flexing its military muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean.

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial progress in militarising its man-made islands in the past few years, which it says it has the right to defend.

China claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. But Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims. In the East China Sea, Beijing has territorial disputes with Japan.

The South China Sea and the East China Sea are stated to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources. They are also vital to global trade.

Major defence partner

The US recognised India as a “major defence partner” in 2016. This designation allows India to buy more advanced and sensitive technologies from America at par with that of closest allies and partners of the US.

According to the Pentagon, the Harpoon missile system will be integrated into the P-8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft to conduct anti-surface warfare missions in defence of critical sea lanes while enhancing interoperability with the US and other allied forces.

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

While the Harpoon missiles will be manufactured by Boeing, the torpedoes would be supplied by Raytheon, the notification said.

The proposed sale, it said, will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo will provide the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare missions.

In both the notifications, the Pentagon said that the proposed sale of these equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

According to the Pentagon, this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-India 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. 

Harpoon missile

Harpoon Block II is an anti-ship missile. It features autonomous, all-weather, over-the-horizon capability and can execute both land-strike and anti-ship missions, according to Boeing.

It has a low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory with active radar guidance.

The 500-pound blast warhead delivers lethal firepower against a wide variety of land-based targets.

Boeing has delivered over 7,000 Harpoon missiles to more than 30 countries.  

Harpoon Block II provides accurate long-range guidance for land and ship targets by incorporating the low-cost inertial measuring unit from the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) program and the software, mission computer, integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System, GPS antenna and receiver from the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER).

The multi-mission Block II is deployable from all current Harpoon missile system platforms with either existing command and launch equipment or the commercially available Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System (AHWCS).

P-8A Poseidon aircraft

One of Boeing’s most advanced aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon uses a first-in-industry in-line production system that leverages the best of Boeing Commercial and Boeing Defense for development and production.

The P-8A Poseidon is an aircraft designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The P-8 delivers highest levels of quality, reliability, and operability. It is a multi-mission aircraft and is defined by a unique combination of state of the art sensors, proven weapons systems and a globally recognised platform.

The P-8’s Indian variant is referred to as P-8I. The aircraft plays a crucial role in being the eyes of the Indian Navy and carrying out critical maritime operations. The aircraft has surpassed 25,000 flight-hours and gives India’s maritime warriors a significant edge in the strategically important Indian Ocean region. 

The P-8I is not just responsible for coastal patrolling but is also used for other critical missions like search-and-rescue, anti-piracy and supporting operations of other arms of the military.

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