US$ 2.6 bn helicopter deal during Trump visit

President Trump’s maiden visit to India is likely to be a reason for celebration for American defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp as the two sides are likely to ink a US$ 2.6 billion deal for New Delhi to buy 24 Seahawk helicopters. This clearance was obtained yesterday from the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The deal is expected to boost the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare operations. This is a shot in the arm for India’s burgeoning defence ties with US. In the last two decades, India has procured about US$ 18 billion worth of military hardware from the US, including Boeing C-17 Globemaster heavy lift aircraft and Apache attack helicopters and Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

Briefing reporters, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said “Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited President Trump to India during their very first meeting at the White House in June 2017. He had promised to visit India in his first term, and this now stands fulfilled.”