Saifullah Sani
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The two sides are also co-operating on Indian production of AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven hand-launched UAVs. Source: US Army
US president Barack Obama's three-day visit to India from 25 January is expected to see the signing of several defence protocols to boost bilateral strategic ties.
Obama, who will be the first US president to be the chief guest at the Republic Day military parade in New Delhi on 26 January, is also the only sitting president to visit India twice. He last visited in November 2010.
India and the United States are expected to sign a deal on the joint development of roll-on/roll-off ISR modules for the 11 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 military transports acquired by the IAF. (Lockheed Martin)
Officials said the principal treaty awaiting confirmation during Obama's visit is the overarching 10-year India-US Defence Framework Agreement, which will succeed one that expires in June.
The agreement, which determines all bilateral military dialogue, will enlarge the scope of joint exercises, maritime co-operation and intelligence sharing, and increase the frequency of reciprocal visits by defence personnel.
"Strengthening [military] ties with the US is definitely beneficial to the country," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Headlines Today television news channel on 12 January.
"The focus will not be on equipment procurement, but on joint development of military technology," he added.
Consequently, the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), under which the United States has offered to transfer around 17 military technologies to India for co-development and co-production, will be advanced during Obama's visit.
Officials said, for now, the transfer of just two technologies to India is likely to be agreed, in keeping with the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to locally source military equipment whenever possible.
The two technology-sharing deals to be signed off involve the AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and roll-on/roll-off intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) modules for the 11 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 military transports acquired by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Other US technologies on offer include those to co-develop and co-produce air defence and Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and to build an electromagnetic aircraft launch system for aircraft carriers.
The US government also recently approved the transfer to India of the Assembly, Integration, and Test facility for BAE Systems' M777 155 mm/39-calibre lightweight howitzer from Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
However, officials confirmed that no deals, including those for 22 AH-64E Apache attack and 15 Chinook CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters will be signed during Obama's trip, even though negotiations have been completed.
Meanwhile, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu will co-chair with Parrikar the 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation in Delhi on 21 January.
Russia is seeking to resolve differences over technical problems, cost, and delivery schedules bedevilling the fifth-generation Fighter Aircraft and the Multirole Transport Aircraft it is jointly developing with India.
COMMENT
Indian and US military planners privately view the forging of closer bilateral defence ties as an important element of joint efforts to manage emerging Chinese military power projection, especially in the Indian Ocean Region.
This burgeoning alliance is also expected to include Japan and Australia in the maritime domain, as they are also concerned over China.
Beyond strategic and geopolitical interests, India and the United States aim to transform what has been transactional bilateral defence relationship to one that jointly develops and builds weapon systems.
Since Washington lifted defence-related sanctions in 2001 India has acquired USD9-10 billion in US materiel, including military transport and naval surveillance aircraft, fighter aircraft engines, anti-ship missiles, and sensor-fused bombs. It now aims to alter this buyer-seller relationship, but faces internal hurdles mainly due to a lack of clarity on its military priorities and requirements and its inability to shed its Cold War mindset in dealing with the United States.
"The optics between the Indian and US military establishments have improved under Modi, but nothing substantial has been achieved in recent months," a senior US military official told IHS Jane's .
Obama expected to sign defence protocols on India visit - IHS Jane's 360
"Strengthening [military] ties with the US is definitely beneficial to the country," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Headlines Today television news channel on 12 January.
"The focus will not be on equipment procurement, but on joint development of military technology," he added.
Consequently, the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), under which the United States has offered to transfer around 17 military technologies to India for co-development and co-production, will be advanced during Obama's visit.
Officials said, for now, the transfer of just two technologies to India is likely to be agreed, in keeping with the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to locally source military equipment whenever possible.
The two technology-sharing deals to be signed off involve the AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and roll-on/roll-off intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) modules for the 11 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 military transports acquired by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Other US technologies on offer include those to co-develop and co-produce air defence and Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and to build an electromagnetic aircraft launch system for aircraft carriers.
The US government also recently approved the transfer to India of the Assembly, Integration, and Test facility for BAE Systems' M777 155 mm/39-calibre lightweight howitzer from Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
However, officials confirmed that no deals, including those for 22 AH-64E Apache attack and 15 Chinook CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters will be signed during Obama's trip, even though negotiations have been completed.
Meanwhile, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu will co-chair with Parrikar the 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation in Delhi on 21 January.
Russia is seeking to resolve differences over technical problems, cost, and delivery schedules bedevilling the fifth-generation Fighter Aircraft and the Multirole Transport Aircraft it is jointly developing with India.
COMMENT
Indian and US military planners privately view the forging of closer bilateral defence ties as an important element of joint efforts to manage emerging Chinese military power projection, especially in the Indian Ocean Region.
This burgeoning alliance is also expected to include Japan and Australia in the maritime domain, as they are also concerned over China.
Beyond strategic and geopolitical interests, India and the United States aim to transform what has been transactional bilateral defence relationship to one that jointly develops and builds weapon systems.
Since Washington lifted defence-related sanctions in 2001 India has acquired USD9-10 billion in US materiel, including military transport and naval surveillance aircraft, fighter aircraft engines, anti-ship missiles, and sensor-fused bombs. It now aims to alter this buyer-seller relationship, but faces internal hurdles mainly due to a lack of clarity on its military priorities and requirements and its inability to shed its Cold War mindset in dealing with the United States.
"The optics between the Indian and US military establishments have improved under Modi, but nothing substantial has been achieved in recent months," a senior US military official told IHS Jane's .
Obama expected to sign defence protocols on India visit - IHS Jane's 360
