New Delhi: India and the United States continue to reinforce their defense cooperation, driven by shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and concerns over China’s assertive behavior in the region. This partnership, which has been steadily strengthened across multiple U.S. administrations, including Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden, reflects a long-term strategic convergence that transcends potential trade disagreements.
China’s expanding influence, from increased naval activity in the Indian Ocean to assertive actions along India’s border, has led to deeper military cooperation and interoperability between India and the U.S. Both nations are enhancing joint military exercises, including underwater domain awareness operations, to counter Chinese submarine activities in the region. The U.S. is also interested in furthering cooperation through the Quad alliance, potentially adding a stronger military dimension to it, a move that India has cautiously approached so far.
This growing partnership has led to several high-value defense agreements. The recent $3.3 billion contract for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones and a maintenance facility, along with the previously inked $3.5 billion contracts for Apache and Romeo helicopters, are just a few examples. The U.S. has become a prominent defense supplier to India, surpassing even Russia at times, with American companies securing over $25 billion in defense deals since 2007.
India, however, seeks more than direct purchases, aiming for co-production and technology transfer on major projects. An ongoing negotiation for the co-production of GE-F414 aero-engines for Tejas Mark-II fighters, involving 80% technology transfer, exemplifies India’s push for indigenous capability. This trend aligns with the Modi administration’s focus on building domestic defense manufacturing capabilities, with the support of high-end technology from U.S. firms.
For the U.S., this relationship serves as a hedge against China’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific. The bipartisan consensus in Washington on deepening ties with India is evident, with both sides eyeing additional projects, including India’s quest for 114 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jets, set to be co-manufactured domestically in collaboration with foreign partners.
As both nations look to strengthen the partnership further, the U.S.-India defense relationship will likely remain a cornerstone of their Indo-Pacific strategy, serving as a critical counterbalance to the China-Russia axis in the region.
