Context: Recently, the U.S. State Department has approved two potential missile deals with India, for an estimated $92 million and $63 million.
Deal 1: Harpoon Block II Missile

• It is a deal for 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles and related equipment.
• Boeing is the contractor.
• These missiles can be fitted onto Boeing’s P-8I (Poseidon-Eight India) maritime patrol aircraft.
• They are intended to enhance India’s capability in anti-surface warfare while defending its sea lanes.

Deal 2:MK 54 Torpedoes

• It is a deal for $63 million and principally contracted with Raytheon Integrated Defense System.
• The deal includes delivery of 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); three MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required); and related equipment.
• Also included are MK 54 spare parts, torpedo containers, two Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers & related equipment, support from the U.S. government and contractors.
• The torpedoes are expected to enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare capability and can be used with the P-8I.
• There are no known offset agreements for both deals, the State Department said, and any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between India and the contractors.
• The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification to the U.S. Congress, notifying it of the possible sale.
• Under the U.S.’ Arms Export Control Act, the Congress has 30 days to raise objections to the sale in the case of India.

About P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft

• The P-8I aircraft is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft that Boeing company developed as a replacement for the US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet.
• With a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of over 1,200 nautical miles, the P-8Is detect threats and neutralize them if required, far before they come anywhere near Indian shores.
• The Indian Navy operates eight P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft procured under a $2.2 billion deal in 2009.
• In 2016, the Navy exercised an optional clause for four more aircraft in a deal worth over $1 billion.
• The first of the four aircraft was to be delivered in May 2020 and the deal completed by January 2022.
• However, the initial delivery is expected to be delayed by a couple of months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.