US Approves $131M Military Deal to Strengthen India’s Indo-Pacific Maritime Security

The United States authorized a foreign military sale to India worth $131 million to enhance India's maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. The sale was announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency and includes SeaVision maritime domain awareness advanced software, technical support, training, remote software and analytic support, and logistic services.

The SeaVision system will significantly improve India's ability to monitor, analyze, and respond to sea traffic on important sea lanes, improving operational readiness as well as strategic deterrence. The enhancement is especially critical with the increasing security imperative of the Indo-Pacific, e.g., increased Chinese naval presence and regional instability.

The US government reaffirmed that the sale would strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and increase the security of a close defense partner, promote political stability, peace, and economic development in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. 

The Hawkeye 360, an American defense technology firm, is the lead contractor for the sale.

This move comes after Washington's attempt to boost India's maritime power and as part of broader efforts at creating a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.