With the US Congress debating the Indo-US nuclear deal, a top Indian military team will be in Washington mid-April to finalise New Delhi’s first weapon purchase from the US since last year’s defence framework—the USS Trenton amphibious warship.

The Naval team, headed by Assistant Chief Rear Admiral Robin Dhowan, will tie up the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for Trenton. The CCS will take it up in June. Since it’s a direct government-to-government sale there will be no price negotiation, allowing for fast approval.

The purchase, agreed in principle, will make India the first country apart from the US to own and operate an Austin-class landing vessel. The 35-year-old warship is currently undergoing a refit and upgrade in Norfolk, Virginia. While the Navy’s pair of Magar-class landing ship tanks (LSTs) can transport and land 500 troops or 15 armoured vehicles onto a beach, the much larger Trenton can land 1,500 troops. It can also be used to land large amounts of relief in the event of a tsunami-like disaster.