With a focus on joint ventures and military sales, the Trump administration is actively seeking to improve defense relations between the United States and India. The two countries’ defense sales have exceeded $25 billion since 2007, demonstrating a substantial collaboration that has developed in response to common regional security concerns, especially with reference to China.
With recent contracts including a $3.3 billion arrangement for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones and a $520 million agreement to set up a maintenance facility in India, the U.S. is pushing India to increase its military acquisitions. India’s surveillance capabilities will be greatly enhanced by these drones, especially when it comes to keeping an eye on Chinese activity in the Indo-Pacific area.
The current agreements place a lot of emphasis on co-production and co-development as opposed to straightforward imports. With an expected 80% technology transfer, for example, talks are in progress for the joint manufacturing of General Electric F414 engines for India’s TEJAS MK-2 fighter fighters. This strategy supports India’s “Make in India” campaign, which aims to increase the country’s capacity for local manufacturing.
Joint drills and security projects to counter regional threats are part of the defense partnership. In an effort to meet India’s need for new infantry combat vehicles, the United States has also been pushing the Stryker armored vehicle for possible collaborative manufacturing.
India wants to purchase 114 multirole fighter aircraft, and the United States is competing for a sizable portion of this deal. The next Aero-India exhibition will feature cutting-edge American fighter jets such as
Geopolitical factors, especially China’s increasing aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, highlight the expanding defense partnership. Through improved technological transfers and combined operational capabilities, both countries are likely to strengthen their military cooperation as they recognize challenges to their shared security.
Furthermore, regardless of changes in either nation’s political leadership, the bipartisan backing for deepening defense links guarantees the continuation of this strategic partnership. In the past, the Trump administration has worked to provide India access to cutting-edge technologies that are normally only available to NATO partners by granting it Strategic Trade Authorization (STA-1).
In order to improve both countries’ military capabilities, the Trump administration’s plan is to increase defense sales as well as to develop a more reciprocal partnership with India that prioritizes co-production and technology cooperation.
