New Delhi: While India and the US are close to signing big ticket deals jet engine technology and procurement of high-altitude drones, both for surveillance and punitive strikes, among several other major defense and security-related projects and agreements to be discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing US visit.
Government sources told ThePrint that the two sides are looking at closer defense industry cooperation, greater integration and information sharing on not just technology but key strategic interests.
White House Press Secretary Karine said, “The visit reinforces our two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to grow our strategic technology partnership, including defense, clean energy and space.” Will do.” Jean-Pierre said in a statement in May.
Before his visit, PM Modi gave… interview to wall street journal In which he described defense cooperation between the two countries as “an important pillar of partnership”.
Talking about defense issues, the sources said apart from an agreement on joint manufacturing of GE F414 engines for High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones, joint development of next-generation M777 light howitzers are other key issues . , the possibility of manufacturing long-range special artillery munitions and Stryker armored personnel carriers in India.
India and the US are looking to collaborate more on the issue of hypersonic technology, advanced materials autonomous underwater capabilities apart from helping India build state-of-the-art technology.
Another major project that the US is keen on is the fighter jet program for both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. The US is pushing for the F/A 18 Super Hornet for the Navy built by Boeing and the F-21 for the IAF built by Lockheed Martin.
Not only this, there is also a possibility of signing some provisions of the agreement between the two countries. basic exchange and cooperation agreement (BECA), one of the three basic agreements signed in 2020, made it easier for the Americans to supply specific detailed intelligence to India during the ongoing standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
BECA enables real-time intelligence gathering and information supply and allows future US geospatial information to hit enemy targets with pinpoint accuracy.
The defense technology partnership will be preceded by an agreement titled “Security Supply and Reciprocity Agreement”, the sources said.
The agreement will help reduce regulatory barriers impeding industry-to-industry collaboration within the US system that will promote long-term supply chain sustainability.
other deals
Talking about other defense deals in the pipeline that will be finalized in the coming months, the sources said the lowest hanging fruit is the joint production of wheeled armored vehicles Strykers in India, which will come in handy for the Indian armed forces. ,
He said this would require co-production with an Indian firm and US defense company General Dynamics, which incidentally also manufactures the drones India is buying.
Apart from being able to carry nine soldiers with a variety of weapons mounted on board, the Strykers can also be airlifted by Chinook helicopters, a helicopter that the Indian Air Force already operates .
This capability was demonstrated during the military exercise Exercise 2021 between the two countries, when an Indian Air Force Chinook lifted off a Stryker APC of the US Army.
Another low-hanging fruit that could strengthen in the coming months is the enhanced version of the M777 Lightweight Howitzer. The proposed version of the gun would require some changes to the existing system and a new barrel, which would be procured by both the Indian and US armies in addition to export potential.
Currently, the maximum firing range of the M777 howitzer is 24.7 km with unassisted rounds and 30 km with rocket-assisted rounds. It can also fire special ammunition which can increase its range to about 40 km.
Sources said the idea is to extend the actual range of the gun as a standalone unit, while also developing longer-range ammunition.
He said cooperation in space technology would be another area of focus during the delegation-level talks.
(Editing by Zinnia Ray Chowdhury)