US approves sale of 777 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures to India

The US State Department on Wednesday approved the sale of two 777 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Self-Protection Suites (SPS) for an estimated cost of USD 190 million to India.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense, in a press statement said: "The Government of India has requested to buy two Self-Protection Suites (SPS) consisting of AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), ALQ-211(V)8 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS), and AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) to protect two Boeing-777 Head-of-State aircraft."

"This potential sale would include twelve Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (6 installed and 6 spares); eight LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (2 installed and 6 spares); 23 Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) for AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (12 installed and 11 spares); five AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) (2 installed and 3 spares)."

"Also, included in this sale are Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS), LAIRCM CIURs, SCAs, HCCs, and UDM cards, initial spares, consumables, repair and return support, support equipment, Self-Protection Suite (SPS) engineering design, integration, hardware integration, flight test and certification, selective availability anti-spoofing modules (SAASM), warranties, publications and technical documentation, training and training equipment, field service representatives; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is USD190 million," the statement read.

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 US Defence Department stated.

The proposed sale will improve India's capability to deter regional threats. The SPS will facilitate a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats. India will have no problem absorbing and using the SPS system, the statement added.