The United States has approved a $230 million sustainment support package for the Indian Army's M777 ultra-light howitzers, which were used for precision strikes during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. This approval comes alongside a separate $198.2 million package for AH-64E Apache attack helicopter support, bringing the total value of the two programmes to $428 million (approximately Rs 4,000 crore).
Details of the M777 Sustainment Package
The sustainment support for the M777 howitzers includes ancillary items, spares, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot capability, and other related logistics and programme support elements, according to a US notification. This long-term support package was requested by India to ensure the operational readiness of the 145 M777 guns sourced from the US nearly a decade ago.
The sustainment programme follows India's recent replenishment of its stock of Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds, which are fired from the M777. During Operation Sindoor, Excalibur rounds were used to target terrorist camps in Pakistan on May 7, 2025. Post-operation, India procured 216 Excalibur projectiles from the US under a $47.1 million deal.
Apache Helicopter Support Package
Separately, India has requested to buy AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, including US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, technical data and publications, personnel training, and other related logistics and programme support elements. This programme is estimated to cost $198.2 million.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army both operate Apache attack helicopters, which are deployed along the frontlines in the western and northern sectors. The sustainment support will enhance their operational capabilities.
Strategic Implications
The US has highlighted the strategic utility of both sales, stating that they support national security objectives by strengthening the US-India strategic relationship and improving the security of a major defence partner that remains an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions. The proposed sales will enhance India's capability to address current and future threats, strengthen homeland defence and deter regional threats, it added.
