Image source: Lockheed Martin , F-35
Washington, D.C: India and the United States have announced a new phase of defense cooperation during a bilateral meeting at the White House on Feb 13. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald J. Trump discussed defense co-production, emerging technologies, and other areas of collaboration.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the US in India’s defense, noting, “America has an important role in India’s defense preparedness. As strategic and trusted partners, we are actively moving in the direction of joint development, joint production, and technology transfer.”
President Trump emphasized the US’s commitment to increasing defense sales to India, stating, “The United States will enhance its military sales to India from 2025, including eventually providing F-35 fighter jets.”
Image source: Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s X account
The leaders highlighted the growing US-India strategic partnership and reaffirmed their strong commitment to defense cooperation. They also announced plans to sign a new ten-year defense agreement later this year to strengthen the partnership further.
India has already procured the US made defense systems such as the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon aircraft, AH-64E Apache helicopters, and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
Future agreements are expected to include the production of Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles in India, along with the purchase of six additional P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft.
As a Major Defense Partner with Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1), India and the US aim to streamline defense trade regulations, including reviewing the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Negotiations for a Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreement are also expected to begin soon.
Both countries are considering collaboration on fifth-generation fighter jets and advanced undersea systems. The Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) has been launched to promote joint development of defense technologies.
Anduril Industries and Mahindra Group will work on autonomous maritime systems and AI-enabled counter-drone technologies, while L3 Harris and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) will collaborate on active towed array sonar systems.
Military cooperation will include expanded training, joint exercises such as the Tiger Triumph tri-service drill, and improvements in intelligence-sharing, logistics, and disaster relief operations in the Indo-Pacific.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that the F-35 procurement process is still at the proposal stage, and India will follow its standard procedure for foreign military purchases.
Prime Minister Modi also met with US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, to discuss intelligence cooperation in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and strategic intelligence-sharing. They exchanged views on regional and global issues.
Image source: Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s X account
In another meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Elon Musk, head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and CEO of Tesla, discussed cooperation in space exploration, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and governance. Musk was accompanied by his family.
Image source: Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s X account
Modi also met with the US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to discuss defense industrial cooperation, small modular reactors for civil nuclear energy, counterterrorism, and other regional and global issues.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today for more such updates.
