India and the US officials discuss defense industrial cooperation, and co-production

Last updated on February 15th, 2023 at 12:43 pm

On Tuesday, India and the United States defense officials held a video conference for discussing industrial cooperation, including co-creation and co-advancement of defense articles. The defense relationship has risen as a key pillar of India-U.S. strategic cooperation.

On 25 Feb 2020, India and the U.S. struck a defense deal worth $3 billion for 24 MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Role Helicopters for the marines and six AH-64E assault helicopters for the military. The deliveries for the Army are scheduled to start in 2023.

As per Donald Trump, These deals will improve the joint defense facility as both nations’ militaries continue to train together. Presently both countries are carrying more bilateral exercises with each other than they do with other nations. 

According to PM Modi, the defense plays an important role in the relationship as manufacturers of the two nations are taking part in each other’s supply chain. “There has been exceptional development in inter-operability within our militaries in the last few years,” he included. 

The Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla stated that President Trump has provided a significant consideration to India in matters of technology, procurement, and collective development in defense. 

As per the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the U.S. State Department, the defense trade between India and the U.S. has expanded from zero in 2008 to $15 billion in 2019. Since 2008, the U.S. has additionally sold over $6.6 billion defense equipment to Inda via Direct Commercial Sales.

As per the MEA, India-U.S. bilateral relations have grown into a “global vital partnership”, in light of shared democratic values and a growing confluence of interests on regional, bilateral, and international issues.

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