India To Get MK 54 Torpedoes And AGM-84L Harpoon Missiles

On 13^th April, 2020, , the US Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of 16 MK 54 all round up lightweight torpedoes and ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles.
India intends to use the equipment on the Indian Navy’s Boeing P-8I maritime aircraft.

Previously, known as the Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo (LHT), it weighs around 608 pounds, while its warhead weighs around 96.8 pounds and is highly explosive.
These torpedoes are used by US surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters and are their primary anti-submarine warfare weapon.
The primary use of this equipment is for offensive purposes when deployed by anti-submarine warfare aircraft and helicopters, and for defensive purposes when deployed by ships and against fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and slow-moving, quiet, diesel-electric submarines.

The Harpoon missile system will be integrated into the P-8I aircraft to conduct anti-surface warfare missions in defense of critical sea lanes.
It uses GPS-aided inertial navigation to hit the designated target.
Its warhead weighs over 500 pounds and is capable of delivering lethal firepower against targets, including land-based targets, coastal defence sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft and industrial or port facilities.

Boeing’s P-8s are designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The P-8s India version is called the P-8I, and helps the Indian Navy carry out important maritime operations.
India currently has eight of these aircraft and is scheduled to receive four more by 2022. One of these is expected to be delivered this year.

Improving Bilateral Relation

The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship.
It will further help 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.

Enhancing India’s Strategic Capabilities

It will help improve India’s capability to meet existing and future threats from enemy weapon systems.
The Harpoon missile system can perform anti-surface warfare missions to defend critical sea lanes when integrated into the P-8I aircraft.
The MK 54 lightweight torpedo will provide the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare missions.
The enhanced capability will be used by India as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland security.