Defence Acquisition Council likely to take up P-8I procurement, cleared in 2019, in third week this month. Proposed joint production of GE F414-INS6 engine also on agenda.
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.
China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.
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