India to buy Raytheon MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes.

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); 3 MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required); and related equipment for an estimated cost of $63 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on 13 April.

MK 54 lightweight torpedo (Picture source: Raytheon)

The Government of India has requested to buy sixteen 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); and 3 MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required). Also included are MK 54 spare parts; torpedo containers; 2 Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers; Fleet Exercise Section (FES) and fuel tanks built into MK 54 LWT Kits (above); air-launch accessories for fixed-wing; spare parts; training, publications; support and test equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated program cost is $63 million. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Integrated Defense System.

The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo will provide the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare missions. India intends to utilize MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes on its Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft.