The US is scaling up its defence engagement from purchase to co-production at a time India is trying to increase its role in global manufacturing through import protection and export incentives. The world’s largest buyer of arms has ambitious plans to cut dependence on foreign vendors through initiatives that tap into design and manufacturing capabilities of public enterprises, large business conglomerates, and even startups. GoI has widened the list of items for indigenous procurement. Core weapons systems still need to be imported, a big chunk of them from Russia. But India is seeking greater self-reliance in peripheral military production that can also feed export markets.
The initial thrust of India-US military cooperation is maritime, of which the GE engines – to be used in naval fighter jets – are a component. The two sides are seeking closer ties in the undersea domain, in air combat and land mobility systems. Talks are on for collaboration in emerging areas like space, cyberspace and artificial intelligence (AI). The low-hanging fruit is local maintenance facilities for equipment and platforms purchased from the US. This can be scaled up to producing spares for domestic consumption and, eventually, exports. India and the US need a new roadmap for defence collaboration.
