The US is currently engaged in negotiations with the Indian government regarding the development of military equipment for ISR [Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance] and ground-based conventional warfare, a senior Pentagon official stated.
Siddharth Iyer, Director for South Asia Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defence, stated that efforts to negotiate a defence procurement agreement with India are underway. Iyer was speaking at an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C., on Wednesday.
India, US Talks on Military System
“We are in active talks with the Indian government to look at producing military systems in areas related to ISR and then, of course, ground-based conventional warfare,” he said, adding that “we’ll have more to say on that as they become ripe.”
According to Iyer, discussions between India and the US to finalise the security of supply arrangement, which would expedite the capacity of military industries to acquire their requirements, are progressing well.
Iyer also stated that both countries are also working to develop a reciprocal defence procurement agreement, which would facilitate and create circumstances for US and Indian defence businesses to expand and expedite market access. He also emphasised that the US Pentagon considers this relationship with India as one of its top priorities.
Furthermore, he claimed that the US-India relationship is not only crucial but also necessary for accomplishing the Indo-Pacific strategy. “There’s a broad and deep commitment to making that happen,” he added.
Iyer praised US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin’s commitment towards finding opportunities to accelerate India’s defence production capabilities. He stated that Austin is committed to accelerating India’s military modernisation, and for him, putting the department on the hook to find targeted opportunities to propose to advance India's indigenous defence production capabilities is crucial.
Expanding India, US Relations
During Austin’s most recent visit to India, he finalised details on a strategy to accelerate defence technology cooperation and co-production.
US and Indian officials have also praised the formation of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem, which aims to strengthen government relations by enhancing cooperation between US and Indian corporations, start-up accelerators, and research institutions.
Defence Acceleration Ecosystem, an initiative between India and the US, will prioritise accelerating and growing commercial technology with military applications, as well as improving financial access and removing limitations.
Reports suggest that US Defence officials have recognised India as a vital strategic partner for the coming decades, with an increasing need to advance a common vision of a free, open, and rules-based global order.
“President Biden has described the US-India relationship as being one of the most consequential for the 21st century,” Iyer remarked.
India-US Fighter Jet Deal
In August, the US Congress approved GE Aerospace’s agreement with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to develop fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force in a major push for India-US defence cooperation.
Under this agreement, GE Aerospace would transfer 80% of its technology to India to manufacture F414 fighter aircraft engines. This technology transfer aims to improve the operational performance of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MKII. The agreement proposes the joint manufacturing of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India as part of the Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 programme.
Iyer, commenting on the GE deal, said that the agreement gives India access to jet engine technology, which he describes as some of the most sensitive military technology available to the US and “what many consider to be a crown jewel.”
Additionally, Iyer emphasised that in the months ahead “I expect we are going to make progress on a number of different fronts.”
India, US to Develop Military System Related to Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance: Pentagon Official
The two countries are also discussing the production of equipment related to ground-based conventional warfare.
September 21, 2023
IMAGE SOURCE: IANSUS President Joe Biden with Indian PM Narendra Modi.