A senior defence official told The Times of India that Trump might push for a more pronounced military aspect to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a move India has so far approached with caution.
The official also said India’s interest in co-production of defence technology, rather than relying solely on direct purchases.
For instance, negotiations for manufacturing GE-F414 engines for Tejas Mark-II jets are underway, with an anticipated 80% transfer of technology for around $1 billion. “The Trump administration will not be an impediment for such projects, but may want to extract a higher price for high-end tech transfer,” the official told TOI.
Other areas of interest include the potential acquisition of 114 multi-role fighter aircraft, estimated to cost around Rs 1.25 lakh crore, along with the co-production of Stryker armored vehicles and Javelin anti-tank missiles, which were recently showcased in Ladakh.The U.S. has already secured over $25 billion in Indian defence deals since 2007, surpassing Russia as India’s primary arms supplier for several years.India’s acquisition of the MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States marks a significant advancement in bilateral defense ties and a milestone in India’s defense capabilities. Finalized last month, the $3.3 billion contract with the U.S. government includes 31 weaponized drones, enabling enhanced aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.
Additionally, a $520 million deal with General Atomics supports setting up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India, strengthening the self-reliance goal.
These UAVs, capable of long-endurance missions, bolster India’s strategic monitoring across the Indo-Pacific, especially with Chinese submarine movements becoming a concern.
The drones, with advanced sensors and payloads, offer India enhanced domain awareness, and the associated MRO facility will provide critical support for their long-term operations, further cementing U.S.-India defense collaboration amid growing regional security challenges.
However, these projects constitute just a part of the ever-tightening bilateral strategic clinch. “There is bipartisan consensus in the US on further strengthening defence cooperation with India as a hedge against China in the Indo-Pacific. It suits India as well, especially due to the strengthening Russia-China nexus,” the official told TOI.
(With TOI inputs)
