US-India Defence Relations Set for Strategic Expansion with New 10-Year Partnership Framework
In a significant development for India-US strategic cooperation, the United States has expressed strong optimism about finalizing multiple pending defence deals with India and signing a new 10-year Framework to elevate their ‘Major Defense Partnership.’ The upcoming agreement is expected to deepen collaboration beyond conventional arms sales, encompassing co-production of advanced military platforms, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening regional security architecture, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
High-Level Talks Signal Renewed Momentum in Bilateral Defence Ties
The announcement followed a high-profile meeting between US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Pentagon. The discussion, held in Washington, was described as productive and forward-looking, laying the groundwork for a renewed and broadened strategic relationship between the world’s two largest democracies.
“We hope to complete several major pending US defense sales to India and formally sign a new 10-year Framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership soon,” said Hegseth during the bilateral dialogue.
The talks come at a time when both nations are looking to diversify and modernize their defence cooperation, especially in light of regional threats and the evolving strategic balance in Asia-Pacific.
Key Defence Deals and Co-Production Plans Underway
The upcoming defence framework, which follows similar pacts signed in 2005 and 2015, includes the co-production of key US-origin platforms, notably the Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker armoured vehicles. These initiatives are part of a broader US effort to enhance India’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities under the ‘Make in India’ initiative while promoting technology transfer and joint R&D.
Another significant deal on the verge of finalisation is the procurement of six additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, which would boost India’s surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capacity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Indian Navy already operates 12 of these aircraft, which have proven critical in reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions.
Strategic Vision Anchored in Indo-Pacific Security
Emphasizing the broader geopolitical context, Jaishankar underscored the relevance of the US-India defence partnership to regional security:
“Our defence partnership is one of the most consequential pillars of the relationship. What we do together in the Indo-Pacific is absolutely crucial for strategic stability in the region.”
Secretary Hegseth echoed this sentiment, highlighting that both nations face shared security challenges and possess the capability and commitment to address them jointly.
This strategic alignment was further reflected in the first-ever Quad Coast Guard-led at-sea observer mission, launched ahead of the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting. The initiative marks a new phase in QUAD maritime cooperation, shifting from pure naval drills to operational coordination among the coast guards of India, US, Japan, and Australia.
Indian Demands for Faster Deliveries and Technology Transfers
Parallel to the diplomatic engagement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with Secretary Hegseth, pressing for the expedited delivery of GE F404 engines for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, which has been delayed by more than two years.
Singh also advocated for a swift conclusion of the joint production agreement for GE’s F414 engines, which will power future variants of the Tejas Mk2 and the initial versions of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—the country’s ambitious fifth-generation fighter program.
These developments indicate India’s push not just for acquisition, but for co-development and co-manufacturing of critical aerospace technologies to boost self-reliance and reduce import dependency.
US Commitment: Access to Advanced Systems Including F-35?
Earlier this year, during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former US President Donald Trump had hinted at the potential sale of the F-35 stealth fighter jets to India. Although not mentioned in the joint statement, the US has promised a policy review on export controls concerning fifth-generation aircraft and undersea systems to India.
If realized, this would represent a dramatic elevation in bilateral trust and defence cooperation. Currently, India operates an array of US-origin platforms, including:
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C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft
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P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft
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AH-64E Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopters
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M777 ultra-light howitzers
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Harpoon anti-ship missiles
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Orders for 31 MQ‑9B Reaper HALE drones, enhancing ISR capabilities
Challenges: Managing Geopolitical Sensitivities and Policy Delays
While optimism surrounds the signing of the new framework, challenges remain. Key among them is navigating geopolitical sensitivities, particularly with China viewing the QUAD and US-India alignment as containment strategies. Beijing has consistently criticized such collaborations, labeling them as provocative.
Domestically, India must also manage technology absorption, cost management, and alignments between private and public sector defence players, especially in co-production deals involving US firms and Indian partners such as HAL, BEL, and private manufacturers.
Looking Ahead: A Framework for the Next Decade
The proposed 10-year Framework Agreement is designed to build on past milestones while future-proofing cooperation in emerging domains such as:
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Cybersecurity
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Space-based assets and satellite defence
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Artificial intelligence for defence
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Undersea warfare and air defence networks
This agreement would reinforce the Major Defence Partner status granted to India by the US in 2016 and align with India’s aspirations to become a regional defence hub capable of both deploying and producing state-of-the-art systems.
Conclusion: A Defining Chapter in Strategic Convergence
The evolving India-US defence relationship is not merely transactional but a strategic convergence rooted in shared democratic values and mutual regional interests. The new framework, if signed as anticipated, could redefine military cooperation, defence industrial partnership, and regional deterrence dynamics in Asia.
By embracing co-production, technology transfers, and operational interoperability, both nations signal their readiness to meet 21st-century threats with 21st-century solutions—together.
Written by Defence Expert
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