U.S.-India Defence Engagement

The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States on February 13, 2025, brought significant attention to the U.S.-India bilateral defence relationship, aiming to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the two nations.

Key Defence Agreements

• India is likely to proceed with the purchase and co-production of the 'Javelin' Anti-Tank Guided Missile and 'Stryker' Infantry Combat Vehicles. This initiative is expected to boost domestic manufacturing and integrate India into the global supply chain.
• India plans to acquire six more P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to enhance the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness.
• A new 10-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership will be signed, emphasizing collaboration in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and autonomous systems.

Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA)

• This initiative boosts collaboration between U.S. and Indian companies, such as Anduril Industries with Mahindra Group and L3Harris with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for Active Towed Array Systems (ATAS).
• There is potential for greater cooperation in undersea systems, fighter aircraft, space, air defense, and anti-tank missiles.

Regulatory and Procurement Challenges

• India and the U.S. have agreed to review their regulatory regimes for arms transfers to enhance defence trade and negotiations for a Reciprocal Defence Procurement agreement.
• Challenges remain in the lack of delivery of GE’s F-404 and F-414 engines for India’s Tejas aircraft, critical for the Indian Air Force (IAF) capabilities.

F-35 Fighter Jet Integration Challenges

• While there is consideration for New Delhi to purchase F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, integration poses challenges due to existing gaps in the IAF’s offensive combat capabilities.
• The IAF's current fleet includes diverse aircraft, leading to high infrastructure and maintenance costs and potential U.S. restrictions on F-35 use.

Reviving Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Project

• Efforts are underway to revive the project for 114 multirole fighter aircraft, initially initiated in 2000, with Dassault’s Rafale being a previous contender.
• Past negotiations with France for Rafale faced challenges over cost and technology transfer commitments, eventually leading to a purchase of 36 Rafale fighters.

In summary, while the U.S.-India defence cooperation has gained momentum, challenges remain, particularly in integration and regulatory frameworks. The Modi-Trump engagement sets a foundation for future deliverables in defence cooperation.