On the second day of his visit to the United States, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with the senior leadership of American defence companies at a round-table in Washington, and outlined the various emerging co-development and co-production opportunities in the sector in India.
The round-table was organised by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
In another development, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the U.S. Congress on the possible sale of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sonobuoys for the Indian Navy’s MH-60R multi-role helicopters that are currently being inducted.
“The Secretary of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys and related equipment for an estimated cost of $52.8 million,” the DSCA said in a notification.
Relationship with India remains one of great importance: Pentagon
“India has requested to buy AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys; technical and publications and data documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support; and other related elements of logistics and program services and support,” it added.
The Indian Navy had signed a $2.2 billion deal for 24 MH-60R helicopters from Lockheed Martin in February 2020. They are being formally inducted since April this year and deliveries are expected to be completed in 2025.
“Had fruitful interaction with leading U.S. defence companies at the Defence Industry – Roundtable organised by USISPF,” Mr. Singh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Invited them to work with Indian partners to accelerate our Make in India program towards achieving Atmanirbharta in defence sector. Together, Indian and US companies will co-develop and co-produce for the world.”
The Defence Ministry said in a statement that progressive reforms undertaken by the government have encouraged many foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers, including from the U.S., to set up manufacturing units in India, develop joint ventures, and make India their alternate export base. “The planned co-production of GE414 aero-engines in India shall be a significant milestone in India-U.S. bilateral relations.”
Mr. Singh also highlighted that “partnership” and “joint efforts” were the two keywords that differentiated India’s defence industry partnerships with other nations.
On Friday(August 24, 2024), India and the U.S. also signed a Security of Supply Agreement (SOSA), which was one of the two broad-based defence industrial cooperation agreements under discussion between the two countries as cooperation between defence industries deepens. A Reciprocal Defence Procurement agreement is also under discussion.
On Friday (August 24, 2024) evening, Mr. Singh met U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and deliberated on the evolving geopolitical situation and certain key regional security issues. “They also discussed the ongoing defence industrial collaboration projects between India and the U.S., and potential areas where the industries of the two countries could work together,” the Ministry said.