NewKerala.com

India, US Boost Defence Ties with New Aircraft, Missile Deals

India and the United States held the 18th Defence Policy Group meeting in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral defence ties. The talks, co-chaired by senior defence officials, focused on identifying areas for co-development and co-production of military equipment. Key discussions included India's plans to acquire six more P-8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft and emergency procurement of Javelin anti-tank missiles. The Indian side also emphasized the timely delivery of Excalibur precision-guided artillery shells under a recent deal.

Key Points: India-US Defence Talks: P-8I, Javelin Deals & Military Cooperation

  • Discussed co-development of defence equipment
  • Reviewed P-8I aircraft procurement deal
  • Talked about Javelin missile emergency purchase
  • Addressed Excalibur ammunition delivery timeline
2 min read

India, US discuss defence ties, military hardware cooperation

India and US discuss strengthening defence ties, co-production, and key deals for P-8I aircraft, Javelin missiles, and Excalibur ammunition in New Delhi meeting.

"Both sides reviewed ongoing initiatives, identified priority areas for co-development & co-production - Ministry of Defence"

New Delhi, March 25

India and the United States on Wednesday discussed ways of further strengthening their defence ties during the 18th Defence Policy Group meeting held in New Delhi.

During the meeting, led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, the two sides also held important discussions on important ongoing defence deals, including the Indian plans for acquiring six more P-8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

"The 18th India-US Defence Policy Group meeting was held in New Delhi today. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby co-chaired the talks. Both sides reviewed ongoing initiatives, identified priority areas for co-development & co-production of defence equipment, and reaffirmed commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training visits & strategic exchanges," the Ministry of Defence said.

The two sides also held discussions on the Excalibur precision-guided artillery ammunition for which India has signed a Rs 300 crore deal under the emergency procurement route.

The Indian side asked the American officials to ensure that the precision-guided shells are provided to the Indian Army on time.

India is also looking to sign the deal for buying Javelin anti-tank guided missiles from the US through the emergency route.

The Indian Navy is in discussion with the Americans for the procurement of six more P-8I surveillance aircraft.

The Rs 30,000 crore deal has been in negotiations for some time now and is likely to be acquired soon.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the cooperation is welcome, I hope we are also focusing on 'Make in India' in these discussions. Co-development and co-production should be the priority, not just buying expensive hardware. We need to build our own defence industrial base.
A
Arjun K
Good move. The Excalibur artillery and Javelin missiles are top-class systems. Our forces on the borders need this technological edge. Timely delivery is key though – hope the US side sticks to the schedule.
P
Priya S
Rs 30,000 crore for six aircraft? The numbers seem staggering. While security is paramount, I wish there was more transparency on the cost-benefit analysis of such massive deals. The money could also transform many other sectors.
V
Vikram M
Strategic autonomy is important. Partnerships are good, but we must ensure our foreign policy and defence procurement aren't overly dependent on any single nation. Diversifying our sources, including boosting indigenous R&D, is the way forward.
K
Karthik V
The joint exercises and training exchanges mentioned are as valuable as the hardware. Learning from the best operational practices of the US military will greatly benefit our armed forces. A solid, long-term partnership.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50