chex3009
Regular Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2010
- Messages
- 929
- Likes
- 201
Sometimes, an order request is just an order request. Sometimes, as seen in Singapore, it amounts to more than that. In September 2008, the US DSCA announced India's official request to buy a package of 24 L-model Harpoon Block II ship-killing missiles, with added GPS guidance and littoral/ land attack capabilities, for up to $170 million.
India's rival Pakistan is already arming its P-3 Orions with AGM-84Ls, so regional stability wasn't an issue, but the exact match for India's missiles remained a mystery for a while. The order seemed to presage a buy of P-8i Sea Control and Surveillance aircraft, and India did indeed end up choosing Boeing's 737 derivative. In September 2010, however, reports indicated that the deal was really focused on India's fleet of Jaguar IM strike aircraft. Now, in 2010, comes a request specifically aimed at India's forthcoming P-8is"¦
Contracts & Key Events
Dec 21/10: The US DSCA announces [PDF] India's formal request for up to 21 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Missiles, 5 ATM-84L Block II Training Missiles, Captive Air Training Missiles, containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, and related U.S. Government and contractor support. The estimated cost is up to $200 million, and this request is very explicit about their use:
"India intends to use the missiles on its Indian Navy P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft which will provide enhanced capabilities in effective defense of critical sea lines of communication. India has already purchased HARPOON Block II missiles for integration on the Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft and will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces."
The P-8i is known as the Poseidon in the USA – "Neptune" was the Roman name for the same Greek deity. The prime contractors will be The Boeing Company in St. Louis, MO, and Delex Systems Incorporated in Vienna, VA. Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to India involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, and oversight on for approximately 5 years. Details of a potential industrial offset agreement in connection with the proposed sale were not known when the DSCA made the announcement.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/India-Requests-Harpoon-II-Missiles-05064/