India to procure anti-chemical, anti-nuclear suits from US for Rs 480 crore

The United States on Thursday, May 11, approved the sale of anti-chemical and anti-nuclear suits to India for a cost of $75 million — approximately Rs 480 crore. The purchase is sure to boost India's capacity to handle, contain and even foil possible chemical, biological or nuclear-based attacks.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement to the US Congress on Thursday that it has "made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to the government of India for CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence] support equipment."

What is being purchased?

According to the DSCA, India has asked for "38,034 M50 general purpose masks; Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST), which consists of 38,034 each: suits, pairs of trousers, pairs of gloves, pairs of boots and NBC bags; 854 aprons; 854 alternative aprons; 9,509 Quick Doff Hoods; and 114,102 M61 filters."

The agency added in the statement: "Also included in the potential sale is training; technical data; US government technical assistance; staging/consolidation; transportation; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $75 million."

Boost for Indo-US ties

The DSCA explained to the Congress that the sale would "contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States," because it will help boost the security of India, which it has described as "a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in South Asia."

The agency also said that the deal would not "alter the basic military balance in the region." It added: "There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale." Basically, it mollified concerns that the equipment sold to India could fall into the wrong hands or be misused by India against US interests. The fears, it may be noted, could have risen from the arms the US has sold to Pakistan, and what happened to them. 

Modernising Indian armed forces

The DSCA has also told the US Congress: "The GoI intends to use these defence articles and services to modernise its armed forces. This will contribute to the Indian military's goal to update its capability while enhancing the relationship between India and the United States. The GoI will have no difficulty absorbing these defence articles into its armed forces."

India has been strengthening its defences for quite some time now, be it testing new missiles or getting new modes of transport. It is also slated to purchase a missile defence system from Israel in a $2-billion deal, which will be used by the Indian Army and Navy.