For head-of-state aircraft, India to buy missile defence from US

WASHINGTON: The US has cleared a proposal to sell India two missile defence systems for the protection of two “head-of-thestate” aircraft - meant possibly for the use of the president and the prime minister - for an estimated cost of $190 million.

Called “777 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Self-protection Suites (SPS)”, as announced by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency on Thursday, the package comes with 12 guardian laser transmitter assemblies, eight large aircraft infrared countermeasures, 23 missile warning sensors and five countermeasures dispensing systems.

Also included in the deal are advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare suites.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-INdian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-pacific and South Asia region,” the agency said.

The US has been discussing a potential missile defence collaboration with India, a top Pentagon official earlier said, underlining that America had been wanting to build a “much deeper and broader relationship” with the country.