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Nod for major arms deal with U.S.

Sandeep Dikshit

Purchase of six large Hercules C-130 J transport planes

A.K. Antony

NEW DELHI: The government has cleared the biggest-ever arms deal with the United States — purchase of six large transport planes at an estimated cost of $ one billion (about Rs. 4,000 crore), Defence Minister A. K. Antony confirmed here on Tuesday.

The Hercules C-130 J aircraft, which has all-weather and night flying capabilities, will improve the Indian armed forces’ capability to quickly transport troops to areas of conflict.

The approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security comes a month before U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates’ maiden visit to the country. The visit may see both sides touching on the possibility of the U.S. selling a gigantic second-hand landing ship to the Indian Navy.

U.S. speciality

The U.S., whose armed forces specialise in quickly moving troops to different parts of the world, has been actively assisting India in improving its troop lift capabilities, an area where the Indian armed forces are not very capable.

It recently refurbished and sold USS Trenton (now INS Jalashva) for about $ 500 million. The ship can accommodate several tanks and helicopters besides hundreds of troops.

Before this, the U.S. had sold seven weapon locating radars for a deal estimated at about $ 200 million. At a news conference on Monday, U.S. Ambassador David Mulford said U.S. arms exports to India were “accelerating.”

Two U.S. companies are now actively participating in a tender for 126 multi-role aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

The deal is estimated at $ 10.2 billion (about Rs. 42,000 crore).

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