Govt approves USD 2.6 billion naval helicopter deal with US ahead of Trump's visit

Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit here next week, Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday approved a government-to-government deal to procure a batch of 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from US at a cost of USD 2.6 billion. bilateral agreement to seal deal is expected to be signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with US President Donald Trump on February 25, top sources said. India is procuring helicopters for Indian Navy.

sources said Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also deliberated on procurement of a missile defence system from US at a cost of USD 1.86 billion. However, final approval to deal has t been given yet, sources said.

US approved sale of helicopters to India in April last year. helicopters are expected to boost Indian Navy's anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare operations. chopper is designed to hunt down submarines. fleet would replace aging British-made Sea King helicopters. Ahead of Trump's visit, US approved sale of an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System to India (IADWS).

Defence and security ties between India and US have been on an upswing in last six years. bilateral defence trade touched USD 18 billion mark in 2019, reflecting growing defence cooperation between two sides. re has been indication that two sides may anunce furr deepening of defence ties during Trump's visit on February 24 and 25.

Both sides have also been pushing for joint venture and collaboration between private sectors of two countries in defence manufacturing. In June 2016, US had designated India a "Major Defence Partner", intending to elevate defence trade and techlogy sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners.