India- U.S. Defence Industrial Cooperation
Cooperation in high technology areas and identifying opportunities for co-development and co-production.
Building resilient supply chains.
Co-development of new technologies
Co-production of existing & new systems.
Facilitate increased collaboration between defence startup ecosystems of the two countries.
Enhancing defence cooperation in several areas, including convergence of strategic interests and enhanced security cooperation.
India-U.S. partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.
India - US defence relations - overview
The US has granted the status of a ‘non-NATO ally’ to India.
India has also been recognized as a major defence partner and has been granted Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1 (STA-1), relieving regulations for US high-tech defence and aerospace exports.
India conducts more bilateral exercises with the U.S. than with any other country.
Major exercises:
Tiger Triumph - Indian Army and Navy - US Navy
Vajra Prahar - United States Army Special Forces - Para SF
Yudh Abhyas - It is the largest joint military exercise between India and the US.
Malabar Exercise - Quadrilateral naval exercise of India, USA, Japan and Australia.
The India-U.S. Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) is aimed at promoting co-development and coproduction efforts
Major agreements:
1. GSOMIA
General Security Of Military Information Agreement
It was the first of the foundational agreements to be signed in 2002.
It essentially guaranteed that the two countries would protect any classified information or technology that they shared.
It was aimed at promoting interoperability and laid the foundation for future US arms sales to the country.
2. LEMOA
Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
LEMOA allows both countries to have access to each other’s designated military facilities for refueling and replenishment.
Signed in 2016.
3. COMCASA
Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement.
Signed by India in 2018.
Valid for 10 years.
COMCASA aims to provide a legal framework for the transfer of highly sensitive communication security equipment from the USA to India that will streamline and facilitate interoperability between their armed forces.
4. BECA
Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation.
BECA will help India get real-time access to American geospatial intelligence that will enhance the accuracy of automated systems and weapons like missiles and armed drones.
Through the sharing of information on maps and satellite images, it will help India access topographical and aeronautical data, and advanced products that will aid in navigation and targeting.
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