Stage is set to welcome the new US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin later this week, who will on his maiden two day go to to India from March 19-20.The US Defense secretary who is going to be accompanied by a higher level official delegation has a extremely packed schedule even though in New Delhi. He is going to have a meeting with his counterpart Indian Defense minister Rajnath Singh, other best officers in the Ministry of Defense and he is anticipated to get in touch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also.
“No major announcement is expected in this visit. This is more of an exploratory visit and there will be a wide range of issues that the two sides will talk about. Also, the visit assumes importance as it is coming soon after the recently concluded virtual summit of the Quad which was called by the US President Joe Biden,” explained a senior officer to TheSpuzz Online. Adding, “The visit is also important as it is coming ahead of the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year. This time the venue is Washington DC.”
At the finish of the go to, a joint statement is most likely to be issued which will highlight the difficulties that had been discussed.
What has the Pentagon stated about the forthcoming go to?
The two sides will go over the value of International Defense Relationship and the Defense Secretary will reinforce the United States’ commitment to a no cost and open Indo-Pacific area.
He is also going to South Korea, Japan, and US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii – a reinforcement of its commitment to Indo-Pacific. India is the final leg of his maiden foreign trip.
Both sides are going to concentrate on additional strengthening the Indo-US Major Defense Partnership Maritime Domain Awareness bilateral and multilateral military workout routines defense joint ventures and production, as nicely deepening cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean Region and no cost and open Indo-Pacific.
The bilateral relations in between the two nations have witnessed substantial broadening and developing partnership. And due to the continuing standoff in between India and China along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, the two nations have come closer as far as safety cooperation is concerned.
Defense Deals in the pipeline
Leasing of military platforms is going to be discussed, as this is anything new the Ministry of Defence has introduced in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.
Topping the list is the pending proposal of 30 armed drones from the US based General Atomics. The deal which is estimated to be at about USD 3 billion has been pending considering the fact that final year. And, now, as has been reported by TheSpuzz Online, the deal is in the final stages of finding a stamp of approval by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
Read: US Defence Secretary coming to India! Drones deal with General Atomics anticipated to be announced
As reported earlier, the Indian Navy has leased two drones from the firm for one year, and these had been deployed in 2020 to provide safety cover for the duration of the standoff in between India and China had been at the peak.
Fighter jets such as the Boeing Company’s F15EX for the Indian Air Force’s Requirement off 114 and F/A-18 Super Hornet for the Navy’s proposal to obtain 57 new jets for its aircraft carriers.
Read: India to speak fighter jets, unmanned drones, communications systems with the US Defence Secretary
Another deal which is getting discussed is 10 Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems. For this program the US based Boeing is the front runner, and will be discussed for which the US based Boeing is the front runner.
Also on the table for talks is the sale of Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure. This missile defense program for big aircraft (these which are utilized by VIPs).
The Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) which has currently been authorized by the US State Department for the duration of the Trump administration is also amongst the bargains pending.
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Communications Security Account and Equipment – the most essential element essential for assisting in enhancing interoperability and for advancing communication.
Read: US aerospace giant Boeing delivers KC-46 tankers to IAF! Dates announced for the US Def Sec go to to India
Six more P-8I extended variety maritime patrol aircraft to add to the 12 currently contracted for the Indian Navy.
India holds a particular status
Designated as Major Defense Partner in 2016 by the Obama administration, beneath the Trump Administration it acquired Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1 Status. This status enabled the transfer of sensitive higher-tech gear from the US to India.
Both nations have inked foundational agreements that allow higher interoperability in between the defense systems of the two nations. And now, with the Quad becoming a formal grouping the agreements and gear will assistance India.
In the meantime…
Post COVID a US Navy Liaison Officer (LO) has been positioned at IFC-IOR.
There is a higher interaction and coordination with CENTCOM and AFRICOM.
Both sides have been speaking about escalating the scope and complexities of the joint workout routines and setting up of the COMSEC account.
India and the US are also seeking at capacity constructing and other joint cooperation activities in third nations. Peacekeeping, education, and more drills such as the neighbouring nations and beyond.