New Delhi: From firming up a joint production plan for jet engines to the assembly of the MQ9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drone in India to the Artemis agreement – which allows joint safe exploration of the Moon and Mars – Prime Minister Narendra Modi The US state visit has accomplished several major projects.
Other major agreements and announcements include leading US technology firm Micron Technology has invested up to US$825 million to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India in collaboration with the Indian government.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden also launched two Joint Task Forces on Advanced Telecommunications, focused on research and development in Open RAN and 5G/6G technologies.
A joint statement issued by the two countries said the public-private collaboration between vendors and operators would be led by India’s India 6G Alliance and the US NextG Alliance.
Another major development is the partnership in the field of quantum computing. The two countries have established a joint India-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate collaboration between industry, academia and government that will eventually work towards a comprehensive quantum information science and technology agreement.
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Major Progress in Defense Partnership
Major developments in the defense sector emerged from PM Modi’s US visit. As reported by ThePrintIn what is being called the beginning of a new era of Indo-US partnership, American firm General Electric and India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed an MoU to jointly manufacture fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. Signed. IAF) with “significant transfer of technology and work being done indigenously”.
The deal could finally end India’s quest to make its own jet engine since the 1960s. While many countries including India build their own fighter aircraft, the technology of engine manufacturing has been learned by only a select few.
The joint statement referred to the jet engine deal as a “historic” and “pioneering initiative” that will enable the transfer of more American jet engine technology than ever before.
Another major development was India’s plan to purchase 31 Hell drones, the MQ-9B, from the US to enhance the surveillance and strike capability of the Indian Navy, Army and Indian Air Force.
The joint statement said that the MQ-9B will be assembled in India and will enhance the ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities of India’s armed forces.
As part of this plan, General Atomics will also establish a comprehensive global MRO. (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility in India to support its long-term goals of promoting indigenous defense capabilities.
The American company has tied up with India’s Bharat Forge, which is part of the Kalyani Group, for its drone business.
As reported by ThePrintThe The Navy will get 15 MQ-9B drones in maritime and anti-submarine warfare kits, while the Army and Air Force will get eight each in ground versions.
While both the variants have the option of being armed, sources in the defense and security establishment said that initially, all the drones would be unarmed.
During Modi’s visit, the two countries also established and launched the US-India Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). As a network of universities, startups, industry and think tanks, INDUS-X will facilitate joint defense technology innovation and co-production of advanced defense technology between the respective industries of the two countries.
The Space Force of the US Department of Defense has signed its first international cooperative research and development agreement with the Indian New Companies in the Sector 114 AI and 3RDTech. The joint statement said the two companies will work with General Atomics for co-development of components using state-of-the-art technologies in AI and semiconductors, respectively.
joint effort in space
The joint statement said the two leadersset a course to reach new frontiers in all areas of space cooperation”.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will now work on developing a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023.
India too Signed the Artemis Agreement that advances a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all mankind. The Artemis Agreement was established by NASA in 2020 in coordination with the US State Department and seven other founding member countries.
As part of the program, NASA plans to land the first woman and the first black man on the Moon, make new scientific discoveries, and explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.
Ukraine and global security
The two leaders expressed deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and expressed grief over its tragic humanitarian consequences.
They outlined the effects of war on the global economic system, including food, fuel and energy security and critical supply chains, and called for greater efforts to mitigate them.
Both countries resolved to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. He committed himself to empowering the Quad as a partnership for global good.
They reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region with respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and international law.
Both sides emphasized the importance of adherence to international law, in particular as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order. Maintenance was emphasized. Including the East and South China Seas.
(Edited by Smriti Sinha)
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