The moves come before the 6 September, when a "2 + 2" dialogue is planned between the defense and foreign ministers of India and the United States in order to strengthen bilateral defense and strategic partnership.
The Defense Acquisition Board, a defense procurement agency headed by Defense Minister Nirmarla Sitaraman, approved the purchase of NASAMS-II, produced by Kongsberg and Raytheon, for more than 1 billion dollars.
According to an Indian Air Force official, the new system will replace the old Russian anti-aircraft defense systems that protect strategic positions.
If this program is approved by the United States, the deal will be carried out through overseas military sales. India is expected to release the letter of request by the end of this year.
The IAF official noted that NASAMS-II will need to be modified according to India's specific requirements and integrated with the existing integrated command and control system.