The US has approved maintenance services and logistics support for India’s Apache helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers at an estimated cost of US $ 482.2 million (about Rs 4,000 crore). The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the organization that runs America’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, issued notification of this military sale in the Federal Register on June 17.

Army’s strength will increase in the mountains

Earlier on May 18, the State Department had informed the US Congress about the possible sale of Apache helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers to India. India had inducted M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, procured from the US under the FMS route, to strengthen its artillery capabilities, especially in hilly areas. The Indian Army also operates AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, which are considered among the world’s most advanced attack helicopters, for precision strike capability and battlefield support missions.

M777 howitzer package worth US$230 million

According to the notification, India has requested maintenance assistance for its M777A2 ultra-light howitzers. According to the notification, defense equipment includes support material, spares, repair and replacement, training, technical support, field service representatives, depot capacity, equipment and other related items of program support. Its estimated total cost is 23 crore US dollars.

In a separate notification, the Defense Department said India has sought AH-64E Apache maintenance support services, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services, technical data and publications, personnel training, other related logistics and program assistance.

The United States and India continue to work together daily! Our defense partnership is GROWING. Just today, we announced a $230 million sale for a sustainment package for India’s M777A2 ultra-light howitzers is ready to be concluded. This proposed sale supports the national…

— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) June 22, 2026

US Ambassador Sergio Gore’s reaction

Regarding this, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore said that this is strengthening the defense partnership between the two countries. He posted on X and wrote, ‘America and India are working together every day and the defense partnership between the two countries is continuously strengthening. Today the US has announced that it is ready to complete a deal worth $ 230 million (about Rs 1,930 crore) for the maintenance and support package of India’s M777A2 ultra-light howitzer. This deal will not only help national security interests, it will also ensure that India maintains this important and special military capability for its national defence.