The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in a press statement said that the government has approved military sale to India of up to 13 MK-45 5 inch/62 calibre naval guns. The MK-45 guns will strengthen India’s naval capabilities, particularly in the Arabian Sea.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent US tour proved beneficial as the US State Department cleared the sale of sophisticated naval guns worth $1 billion to India. Importantly, the MK-45 guns will boost India’s naval capabilities, particularly in the Arabian Sea.
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in a press conference that the government has approved military sale to India of up to 13 MK-45 5 inch/62 calibre naval guns.
The DSCA has als0 completed the required certification. Moreover, they had also notified the Congress of this possible sale on November 19.
The statement reads that India has requested to buy up to 13 MK-45 5 inch/62 caliber (MOD 4) naval guns and 3,500 D349 Projectile, 5″/54 MK-92 MOD 1 ammunition.
Along with this, the deal includes other ammunition like spare parts, personnel training and equipment training, publications and technical data transportation,. Moreover, it will also cover contractor technical assistance and other related logistics support. Its total estimated cost is around $1.0210 billion.
The proposed sale will support the foreign policy. Above all, it will strengthen national security of the US by improving the security of a strategic regional partner.
The sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems, said the US security experts. The MK-45 Gun System is designed to conduct anti-surface warfare and anti-air defence missions 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. However, the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
