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Biden Approves 4 BN$ Arms Package Sale To India

By LokMarg 1st February 2024

The Biden Administration has today notified the US Congress of its intent to sell nearly 4 billion dollars worth of arms comprising mainly of the MQ 9 B Drones armed with hellfire missiles.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which is an agency within the US Department of Defence, said in a press release on Thursday that the sale helps in strengthening the US-Indian strategic relationship.

It added that New Delhi continues to be an “important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.”

“The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today,” the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

According to the statement, the Indian government has requested to buy 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft; 161 Embedded Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites; 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; 16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB); and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes.

The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a ‘major defense partner’ which continues to be an “important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the release stated.

It further added that the proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet “current and future threats” by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation while adding that India has demonstrated a commitment to modernizing its military and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” it added.

As per the release, the principal contractor will be General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway, CA. and any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to India.

“There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the release said. (ANI)

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Biden Announces Military Package Of USD 345 MN For Taiwan

By LokMarg 29th July 2023

Using an authority from the US Congress that draws weapons directly from American stockpiles, President Joe Biden has announced USD 345 million in military package for Taiwan, The Hill reported.

Using a Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) that Congress granted last year, Biden authorised the shipment of weapons to Taiwan on Friday.
Quoting a congressional employee who is familiar with the package, The Hill reported that it includes man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), weapons, and missiles in addition to intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

China Tightens The Noose Around Taiwan

The announcement was first made public as a memorandum to the secretary of state, directing the withdrawal of “defence articles and services of the Department of Defence, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan.”

“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 621 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority under section 506(a)(3) of the FAA to direct the drawdown of up to $345 million in defence articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan,” the memorandum read, according to the White House.

Taiwan Tracks 91 Chinese Craft, 12 Naval Ships

Taiwan, an island with a democratically elected government, is seen by China as an integral part of it, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated that Taipei should be united with Beijing.

The 2023 US budget included USD 1 billion for weapons shipments to Taiwan, and Congress had asked the administration to complete the backlog of military supplies to the self-governed island.

Taiwan is encouraged by the US to have the defensive capabilities and diplomatic power to oppose a forced takeover by Beijing, whether through military war or economic pressure, as per The Hill. (ANI)

Ukraine Is Alive And Kicking: Zelensky

By LokMarg 22nd December 2022

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (local time) addressed members of the US Congress saying, “Against all odds, and doom and gloom, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking.”

To a standing ovation on his first foreign trip since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, “It’s a great honour to be at the US Congress to speak to you, and all Americans. Against all odds, and doom and gloom, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. We have no fear,” he says, adding that Ukraine has won the first phase of the invasion. The Russian tyranny has lost control over us.”
Zelenskyy addressed members of the Congress after presenting a united front with US President Joe Biden, who assured continued support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the world is too interconnected to ignore Russia’s war in Ukraine during his address to Congress.

“This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide protection,” he said.

“From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, and from every country to Australia, the world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and simultaneously feel safe when such a battle continues,” he said.

He also highlighted the shared values of Ukraine and the United States.

“Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year will be a turning point, I know it when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom. The freedom of people who stand for their values,” he said.

Zelenskyy gave a message of hope for the Ukrainian people during his address to the Congress, saying the Russians “use everything” against cities such as Bakhmut but Ukraine “never surrenders”.

The Russians “have been taking (the city of 70,000 people day and night, but Bakhmut stands,” Zelenskyy said to a roaring applause.

“Last year, 70,000 people lived there in Bakhmut… Now only a few civilians stay. Every inch of that land is soaked in blood… Donbas changed hands several times in fierce combat and even hand-fighting. But the Ukrainian Donbas stands,” he said, as members gave him a standing ovation.

“Russians use everything, everything they have against Bakhmut and other of our beautiful cities, the occupiers have a significant advantage in artillery. They have an advantage in ammunition. They have much more missiles and planes than we ever had. It’s true. But our defence forces stand,” he said.

More than 300 days into the war, soldiers in Ukraine are defending their country, but they need more weapons to win on the battlefield, Zelenskyy told the Congress.

“Here, the front line, the tyranny — which has no lack of cruelty against the lives of free people — and your support is crucial not just to stand in the such fight but to get to the turning point to win on the battlefield,” he said.

“We have artillery, yes, thank you. It enough? Honestly, not really,” he said.

Zelensky said Ukraine is fighting for its “independence and freedom” but called for the United States continued support to achieve those goals.

“Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender,” he said.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden assured continued support to Ukraine in a news conference alongside Zelenskyy, announcing the US will send Kyiv a Patriot missile defence system as part of an additional USD 1.8 billion packages of assistance.

Zelenskyy thanked Americans for their support and reiterated that air defence systems are crucial to countering Russian attacks. (ANI)