Joint Ventures With US For Defence: According to Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, India has formally declared its interest in collaborating with the US on a joint production venture to manufacture Ground Mobility Systems (Stryker armoured vehicles) and other defence platforms. As part of the 2+2 discussion, the statement was made at a joint media briefing with Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.
Aramane revealed that possible agreements for the cooperative manufacture of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines and the acquisition of US-made, next-generation armed drones were also discussed. “The US has made an initial offer on the infantry combat vehicles,” he said. We have indicated that we would like to talk about it more in order to move the co-production portion along.” This action is seen as an important milestone in the two countries’ strategy for future defence industrial cooperation, with the goal of accelerating technology cooperation and co-production in vital areas.
The US-based General Dynamics Land Systems’ Stryker vehicles are expected to play a significant strategic role in India’s transition to mechanised infantry. Aramane emphasised the significance of the measures put in place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June visit to the US, saying that the current 2+2 dialogue is an extension of these crucial actions. Aramane also gave updates on GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s joint manufacture of F414 engines for the light combat aircraft (LCA) TEJAS MK-2 programme in India (HAL). The deal, which is estimated to be worth $1 billion, includes an 80% technology transfer.
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India’s Intent on Joint Ventures With US For Defence
Aramane said that India has sent a letter of request to the US government on the prospective acquisition of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems. Clearance is still waiting for the US company General Atomics’ answer. The drones may be used for multiple tasks and are available to India for $3.07 billion.
The commitment to strengthening the Defence relationship was emphasised in the joint statement released after the 2+2 discussion. It focused on accelerating joint projects, expanding collaboration in new sectors including space and artificial intelligence, and increasing the complexity of military exercises. The defence industry cooperation roadmap was confirmed as a means of bolstering India’s capabilities and encouraging technology transfer. The success in the co-production and co-development of defence systems was also highlighted by the ministers of the two countries, who also expressed interest in ground mobility systems. They welcomed the US industry’s commitment to strengthen India’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) skills and highlighted the need of promoting investment in this area.
The strategy prioritised the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and the U.S.-India Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) with the objective of enhancing supply chain resilience and integrating defence industry ecosystems. The Ministers praised India’s full membership in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and applauded interoperability advancements.
The Ministers also agreed to continue talking about the Logistics and Exchange Memorandum Agreement (LEMOA) and how both sides may expand the capabilities of their armed forces.
