Amidst the sourness in relations with America after Operation Sindoor, the Trump administration has announced to provide 100 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and 216 shells (Excalibur projectiles) of M-700 cannon to India. During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army extensively used the M-777 cannon to destroy terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to the Defense and Security Agency of the US State Department (Ministry), under Foreign Military Sales (FMS), India has been approved to supply 100 missiles (rounds) with M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectile and 25 Javelin launchers. According to the agency, these arms and ammunition are being supplied on the request of India. The total cost of the cannon shells is $47.1 million, while the total cost of the Javelin missile system is $45.7 million.
India-America strategic relations will strengthen
With the approval of this purchase, the US State Department said that this purchase will support America’s foreign policy and national security objectives and strengthen India-US strategic relations. Describing India as a major ‘defense partner’, the US said the purchase will “improve the security of India, which remains a vital force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.”
Military balance in South Asia
However, America also said that with the supply of these weapons, India will definitely increase its capabilities to deal with the challenges of the present and near future, but this will not bring any change in the ‘military balance’ in South Asia. America even said in its statement that through these weapons, the firepower of the Indian Army will become very accurate.
Weapons used in Operation Sindoor
The special thing is that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army (Army) used America’s M-777 cannon to destroy six (06) terrorist hideouts of terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in PoK. It is believed that the shells fired from these cannons had caused a lot of destruction in POK. Because these cannon balls, known as Excalibur projectiles, are fired through GPS. In such a situation, instead of conventional cannon balls, M-777 cannon balls destroy the target with very precise accuracy.
Ultra Light Howitzer Artillery Gun Deal
In the year 2018, the Indian Army (Ministry of Defence) had signed a deal for 145 M-777 Ultra Light Howitzer Artillery Guns from America. Being extremely light, these guns can be easily taken to mountains and high altitude areas. Along with the LAC (Line of Actual Control) with China, the Indian Army has also deployed these American guns on the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan. America is going to supply Javelin ATGM to India for the first time. Along with the US Army, the armies of about two dozen countries around the world use the Javelin missile system. This is a man-portable missile launched from the shoulder of a soldier which is used to destroy enemy tanks, military vehicles and bunkers. This is a fire and forget weapon.
Also read: Relief to Rahul Gandhi in Army comment case, Supreme Court extends stay on proceedings