One step, but neither an agreement yet nor does the US-2 add any defence related capability to our forces. It's a political deal in the first place, to show improving ties, but as said it's an unarmed aircraft and Japan is insisting on the "Civil" use and not selling us arms here. So it's a long shot to get anything actually defence related and the sale of the Soryu class at this point is simply unrealistic and we all know that not signing the NPT is one of the core issues for Japan with India.
Of course, that's why I hoped the new MoD will select a winner now and make a fast order, preferably of Scorpenes, but the MoD or better the PM has other interests, which are not necessarily the best for the forces.
Sure, if the MoD gives propper funding L&T can do it alone too, but it would be silly of us, to not use the know how and experience MDL gained so far wouldn't it? Just as limiting the production of such an indigenous sub to just L&T would limit ourselfs in production time as well as spreading the know how. Look at the aero sector, our key problem is the lack of competition and overdependence on public companies to develop and produce. Shifting the overdependence to privat industry only wouldn't make things better, since it's still overdependence. That's why we need both, public and private players that can offer our forces solutions, be it in competition with eachother, or in joint developments.