PM Modi’s meet with President Trump became a milestone in India-US defence relations. During the trip, PM Modi and President Trump launched the “U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century” Initiative to define India-US cooperation for 10 years. Defence collaboration has emerged as the key area in the initiative. The new defence agreement is the strongest military collaboration between the two countries covering advanced weapons system including g Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, Stryker infantry combat vehicles, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. The complete package represents a big step forward in bilateral defence cooperation.
In a historic move, the US has offered to provide India 5th Gen F-35 stealth fighters, represents a substantial technological leap for India’s air defence capabilities. The finalised defence package includes 31 MQ-9B drones (15 for Indian Navy, 8 for Air force, 8 for Army), expected to enhance surveillance and combat capabilities of the Indian Military. The MQ-9B drones are equipped with 40-hour flight endurance at altitudes up to 40,000 feet, better surveillance across maritime and mountainous terrains, and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
India plans to buy P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft to boost naval surveillance. The P-8I’s capabilities includes multi-mode radars, advanced electro-optic sensors, harpoon Block-II missiles, and MK-54 lightweight torpedoes. The P-8I meets the crucial operational needs of the Indian navy for wider surveillance in the Indian Ocean region an they have proven versatile by monitoring activities along the LAC since 2020. The defence package also includes new procurement and co-production plans for Javelin Anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker Infantry combat vehicles promoting defence industrial cooperation and interoperability.
The new packages include several new programs like U.S.-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology), COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology), and ASIA (Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance). These programs are set to boost collaboration in space, air defence, missile systems, maritime operations, and undersea warfare. Both India and the US have committed to expanding military sales and co-production arrangements to boost interoperability and defence industrial cooperation.
The most significant and noteworthy event of the visit is the US willingness to sell F-35 fighter jets to India. The F-35 aircraft comes with advanced stealth features, unmatched situational awareness, and networked combat systems. Pilots can see through the aircraft using six strategically placed infrared cameras. The F-35, unlike India’s preferred fighters, is a single seater. The integration of F-35 into India’s military setup also brings technical challenges. India’s existing setup has Indian, Russian, French, and Israeli systems. On the contrary, Russia has offered its two-seater fifth Gen fighter Sukhoi-57E to India. It’s up to India to pick which fighter to buy. This offer also comes amidst India’s push for indigenous defence production.
Under the Autonomous systems Industry alliance (ASIA), Anudril Industrials has joined with Mahindra group to develop s to develop cutting-edge maritime systems and AI-enabled counter-UAS capabilities. The L3 Harris will work with Bharat electronics to produce active towed array systems.
India, as a major defence partner with strategic trade authorisation for the US, allows for license free access to military technology. The status makes it easier to blend U.S. defence systems through key agreements:
- Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)
- Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA)
- Industrial Security Agreement (ISA)
Along with defence integration, a dialogue was opened to negotiate Reciprocal Defence procurement agreement and enable reciprocal supply of defence good and services.
India’s naval capabilities have improved with the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for anti-submarine warfare and the Harpoon anti-ship missiles for surface warfare operations. India’s membership in Combined Maritime Forces improves coordination in Maritime domain awareness, Anti-submarine warfare operations, and Surface warfare capabilities. These are included in India’s broader military modernisation strategy. The focus of the India-US defence cooperations on joint operations across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. This integration matches India’s vision to become not just a regional power but a rising global force.
Military collaboration now includes joint exercises, with Tiger Triumph emerging as a key tri-service exercise that shows better interoperability. Both nations currently build combined qualitative military capabilities in the maritime domain through coordinated patrols and shared reconnaissance assets.
The intelligence sharing framework between India and US now focus on Inter-agency coordination, bilateral engagement and multilateral framework focusing on areas like cybersecurity, maritime surveillance, Border security, and aviation security. Recent joint exercises at sea show better teamwork. Indian Naval ships Aditya and Visakhapatnam participated on a exercise with the U.S. Naval Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Sea. These exercises included Replenishment at sea, Cross deck flying operations, Air defence exercise, and Maritime manoeuvres. The partnership goes beyond regular naval operations. India and the US also plan to support each other’s deployments in the Indo-Pacific region. Their teamwork now spans air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace. Better training and new technologies help both nations improve their military skills. This complete approach helps them handle both traditional and hybrid threats effectively. New maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities in India, mainly for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, show practical benefits of this partnership. These facilities will help both Indian forces and global partners who use similar aircraft, showing the partnership’s worldwide reach.
India and the US have signed a strategic defence agreement that redefines the military relationship. This major package including F-35 stealth fighters, MQ-9B drones, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft are a boost India’s defence capabilities. The US Pentagon’s commitment allowing India to manufacture these systems locally is a boost to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative. The India- US partnership goes well beyond defence sale. The cooperation includes sharing intelligence and conducting joint maritime operations that show how closely the two militaries work together. This partnership represents a major transformation to tackle common security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The defence collaboration makes global security stronger and helps modernize India’s military. This ensures they keep their edge in technology and stay ready to operate in today’s complex security landscape.
