On the face of it, the joint statement on defence ticks all the right boxes. However, the two-decade-long India-US defence cooperation has promised much and delivered too little.
Both leaders have vowed to realise the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, work to build US-designed nuclear reactors in India through localisation & possible tech transfer.
On Monday, India signed a contract for procurement of 31 MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft with US & American firm General Atomics after nearly decade of negotiations full of twists & turns.
India had requested to buy 53 MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedo all up rounds, says Defense Security Cooperation Agency. A large part of it will be bought directly from US Navy stock.
Sonobuoys are electro-mechanical acoustic sensors that relay underwater sounds emitted from ships & submarines; they are critical for anti-submarine warfare.
ThePrint reported in May 2022 that notwithstanding media reports that India will not go for a follow-on order, MoD was in final stages of approving a repeat order for 73K rifles.
India's defence industry now supplies to over 90 countries, with exports growing by more than 30 times in 10 years. Equipment exported is wide-ranging, from small arms to armoured vehicles.
Armenia has procured significant defence equipment from India, including artillery guns, multi-barrel rocket launchers, air defence system, sniper rifles, weapons locating radars, anti-drone weapons.
The key to fighting a war successfully, or even launching it, is a clear objective. That’s an entirely political call. It isn’t emotional or purely military.
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