In a landmark meeting that underscored the growing strength of US-India defence cooperation, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed a range of strategic military deals—from fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets to advanced undersea systems for India.
Trump announced that the US will ramp up military sales to India starting in 2025, eventually paving the way for the supply of F-35 fighter jets.
“Starting this year, we’ll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We’re also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump said during a joint news conference with Modi.
However, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that the F-35 deal remains a proposal at this stage, with no formal acquisition process currently underway.
“Don’t think the formal process with regard to acquisition of advanced aviation platforms has been initiated by India… Currently this is a proposal and there are many more steps which have to take place before any such acquisition takes place,” Misri said at a press briefing.
US foreign military sales, such as the potential F-35 deal with its maker Lockheed Martin, are typically conducted as government-to-government transactions, where the Pentagon serves as an intermediary between defence contractors and foreign governments.
Expanding Defence Cooperation: A New Framework
A new ten-year defence cooperation framework is set to be signed, focusing on joint production, technology transfer, interoperability, logistics, and maintenance. This agreement aims to deepen bilateral defence collaboration and integrate more US platforms into India’s military services.
Key Defence Developments:
- US-India Major Defence Partnership Framework: A comprehensive ten-year framework will be formalized later this year, ensuring long-term strategic collaboration.
- Advanced Weapon Systems & Platforms: New procurements include Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stryker armoured fighting vehicles, and six additional P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft.
- Regulatory Reforms: A review of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) will streamline technology transfers and spare part supplies. Talks for a Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) agreement is underway to facilitate mutual defence acquisitions.
- Defence Technology Cooperation: The US has initiated a policy review on releasing fifth-generation fighter jets and undersea warfare systems to India.
- Autonomous Systems Collaboration: India and the US launched the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) to strengthen partnerships in underwater domain awareness (UDA) technologies. India is the first country with which the US has agreed to co-develop sensitive UDA capabilities.
- Joint Development Programs: Discussions are ongoing for co-developing and producing:
- Sea Picket Autonomous Surveillance Systems (Thayer Mahan)
- Wave Glider Unmanned Surface Vehicles (Boeing & Sagar Defence Engineering – 60 units planned for India)
- Low Frequency Active Towed Sonars (L3 Harris & Bharat Electronics)
- Multi-Static Active Sonobuoys (Ultra-Maritime & Bharat Dynamics Ltd.)
- Large Diameter Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (Anduril)
- Triton Autonomous Underwater & Surface Vehicles (Ocean Aero)
India’s Defence Modernisation Drive
Last year, after six years of negotiations, India finalized a long-awaited agreement to procure 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian drones. The US Congressional Research Service estimates that New Delhi will invest over $200 billion in military modernization over the next decade. While India has traditionally sourced defence equipment from multiple nations, including Russia, its increasing engagement with the US marks a significant strategic shift.
The latest agreements highlight the deepening defence ties between the two nations, reinforcing India’s efforts to bolster its military capabilities with advanced US technology and systems.
Ravi Shankar
