The US State Department has approved India’s potential purchase of Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes and air-launched Harpoon anti-ship missiles for its Poseidon P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.
According to a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency release, India has requested a total of 16 all up round torpedoes and three exercise torpedoes. The contract for the armament, including related equipment is expected to cost an estimated $63 million.
The second potential contract is worth $92 million and would see India buy ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles and related equipment.
Both the torpedoes and Harpoon missiles would be integrated into the P-8I aircraft giving them anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities. Raytheon would be responsible for the delivery of torpedoes while Boeing would deliver the Harpoon missiles.
India became the first international customer for Boeing’s Poseidon submarine hunter with the order of eight units in 2009. The country is scheduled to receive further four units this year, bringing the number of aircraft in its inventory to 12.
