The United States has concluded a proposed USD 230 million sustainment package for India's M777A2 ultra-light howitzers, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced on Monday, marking another step forward in the growing defence partnership between New Delhi and Washington.
Envoy confirms deal readiness
In a post on X, Gor stated that the proposed sale was ready to be concluded and would support India's national security objectives. "The United States and India continue to work together daily! Our defence partnership is GROWING. Just today, we announced a $230 million sale for a sustainment package for India's M777A2 ultra-light howitzers is ready to be concluded. This proposed sale supports the national security objectives of the United States while ensuring India maintains a key capability for its national defence," Gor said.
Background of the notification
Gor's remarks follow a notification issued by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on June 17, which stated that the proposed sale would strengthen the India-US strategic relationship. According to the DSCA, non-major defence equipment items included in the package are ancillary items, spares, repair and return services, training, technical assistance, field service representatives, depot capability, and other related elements of logistics and program support, with an estimated total cost of USD 230 million.
The notification highlighted that the sale would improve India's capability to "meet current and future threats, strengthen homeland defence, and deter regional threats." It also noted that the proposed sale would "improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions."
Principal contractor and earlier approvals
The principal contractor for the howitzer sustainment package is BAE Systems, located in Cumbria, UK. This comes after the US State Department in May 2026 approved the possible sale of support services and related equipment for Apache attack helicopters and M777 ultra-light Howitzers to India in deals worth more than USD 428 million. The Apache helicopter support package is estimated at USD 198.2 million, with principal contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
India's history with M777 howitzers
India's association with the M777 howitzer dates back to 2017, when BAE Systems received a USD 542 million contract from the US Department of Defense to supply 145 M777 ultra-lightweight howitzers to the Indian Army under a Foreign Military Sale agreement between the governments of India and the United States. The M777 is a 155mm lightweight towed artillery system designed for rapid deployment and high mobility. Developed initially for the US Marine Corps and the US Army, it can be transported by land, sea and air, allowing forces to quickly redeploy across different terrains.
According to BAE Systems, the battle-proven howitzer can strike targets at extended ranges while maintaining a relatively small logistical footprint. Besides India, the system is also operated by the United States, Canada and Australia, with total orders worldwide exceeding 1,200 units.
