INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The already expansive defence relationship between India and the US is set to register a quantum leap during the Modi-Biden summit with the
twin pacts on the joint manufacture of GE-F414 fighter jet engines and the sale of armed MQ-9B Predator drones, both a first for a
non-military ally of the US
strike missions both in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as well as its land borders with China and Pakistan.Officials hope the co-production
These range from Stryker armoured fighting vehicles and long-range artillery to smart munitions and underwater domain awareness
Despite divergences on Russia and other issues, the jet engines and drones together underscore the expanding strategic convergence between
India off its huge dependence on Russian military wares
India is a willing partner in the quest, though it remains steadfast on retaining its strategic autonomy
India has over the decades failed to build its own jet engines and armed HALE (high altitude, long-endurance) drones, both of which are
the 98 Kilonewton thrust class, with 80% to 100% ToT, is expected to herald a new era
But in the future, we will require more powerful 110 Kilo -newton engines for our planned fifth-generation stealth AMCA (advanced medium
commercial negotiations, India hopes to induct the first lot of 10 in one to two years, with the others coming in batches every six months
India, incidentally, has been effectively using two unarmed Sea Guardians, acquired by the Navy on lease since September 2020, for ISR
missions in the IOR as well as the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control with China.WatchPM Modi in US: India US to sign 'historic' defence deals
