The US government has concurrently approved nearly $1 billion in military sales to India, Italy, and Romania.
In separate notices released on Monday, the State Department cleared the sale of torpedoes for New Delhi’s MH-60R helicopters, electronic attack systems for Rome’s Gulfstream G-550 aircraft, and radar systems for Bucharest.
Torpedoes for India
In its first announcement, Washington approved the foreign military sale of 53 MK 54 lightweight torpedoes to India for $175 million.
The package includes recoverable exercise torpedoes, air launch accessories, spare parts, exercise firing assistance, and follow-on technical support.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the sale will enhance New Delhi’s defense readiness by increasing its anti-submarine weapons stockpile for the MH-60R helicopters.
It will also strengthen the US-India strategic relationship for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Developed by Raytheon, the MK 54 is capable of operating in both littoral and deep-water environments and can effectively hit targets regardless of water depth.
It carries a 44-kilogram (97-pound) high-explosive warhead and can propel at a maximum speed of 74 kilometers (46 miles) per hour.
Electronic Attack Systems for Italy
In another notice, the State Department granted Rome’s request for an undisclosed number of Electronic Attack mission systems (EA-37B) designed to disrupt enemy radar, communications, and navigation systems.
They will be installed on the country’s Gulfstream G-550 aircraft to limit adversary coordination, which is essential for modern warfare.
The estimated cost of the sale is $680 million, including maintenance, personnel training, and technical and logistics support services.
“The proposed sale will improve Italy’s capability to meet current and future threats by … disrupting enemy command and control communications when Italy is contributing to overseas contingency operations,” the notice stated.
Romania’s Radar Request
The US State Department has also cleared Romania’s request to procure four AN/MPQ-64 F1 Sentinel radar systems valued at $110 million.
The RTX-built radar is designed to detect hostile planes, helicopters, drones, and missiles, relaying crucial targeting information to air defense systems.
As a three-dimensional system, it classifies threats while also identifying their range, bearing, and elevation.
“Romania’s acquisition of the Sentinel radar system underscores the long-standing security partnership between our two countries,” US Ambassador to Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec noted.
“These radar systems will greatly increase the early warning for potential threats to Romanian cities and critical infrastructure, and better protect the territory and citizens of Romania.”
