Washington:
In a significant boost to their bilateral defence relationship, US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of major agreements during their recent meeting at the White House. The highlight of the meeting was Trump’s declaration that the United States will sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, a move that marks a substantial advancement in their defence partnership.
This development is part of a broader strategy to enhance India-US defence ties, with Trump stating that military sales to India will increase by many billions of dollars starting this year. PM Modi emphasized the crucial role the US plays in India’s defence preparedness and reiterated the importance of future collaborations in joint development, production, and technology transfer.
The bilateral meeting saw the announcement of a new ten-year Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership in the 21st Century. This framework is designed to deepen the strategic and defence cooperation between the two nations. Additionally, the leaders launched the “US-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century” initiative, aimed at fostering greater collaboration in military and technological sectors.
The integration of US-origin defence items into India’s inventory was also discussed, including the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, and P-8I Poseidon aircraft. The meeting also covered plans for new procurements and co-production arrangements for Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles in India.
The procurement of six more P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft was another key point of discussion. To streamline defence trade and technology exchange, India and the US will review their respective arms transfer regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This review aims to facilitate smoother maintenance, spare supplies, and in-country repair and overhaul of US-provided defence systems.
Furthermore, the two nations will open negotiations this year for a Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) agreement to better align their procurement systems and enable the reciprocal supply of defence goods and services. A new initiative, the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), was also announced to scale industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific region.
PM Modi and Trump underscored the importance of the US in India’s defence preparedness, highlighting the need for continued joint development, production, and technology transfer. The meeting also touched upon enhancing intelligence cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and emerging threats.
The sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to India is seen as a critical step in bridging the ‘stealth gap’ between India and its neighbors, particularly China and Pakistan. This move is expected to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Indian Air Force and serve as a deterrent in the region.
