India and US to Sign New 10-Year Defence Partnership Framework
India and the United States will sign a new 10-year defence partnership framework later this year, the Pentagon announced following a phone call between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Pete Hegseth. The agreement aims to significantly expand strategic and defence ties, building on progress in military exchanges, training, and defence industry collaboration. The ministers also discussed major pending US defence sales to India and expediting the delivery of GE jet engines for India's Tejas aircraft.
Unpacked:
The new framework aims to expand strategic and defence ties between India and the United States, focusing on enhanced military interoperability, logistics sharing, joint training, and increased defence industry collaboration, including technology transfers and co-production.
GE jet engines, particularly the F404 and F414 models, are crucial for powering India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. Delays in the delivery of these engines have affected Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s ability to meet delivery timelines for the Indian Air Force, prompting discussions on expediting supply and local co-production.
The agreement supports India’s "Make in India" initiative by emphasizing defence industrial cooperation, including joint production of advanced jet engines and technology transfers. This aims to boost indigenous manufacturing, reduce dependence on imports, and strengthen India’s domestic defence sector.
The forthcoming agreement builds on progress in military exchanges, training, and previous defence cooperation outlined in a February 2025 joint statement by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. Ongoing efforts to finalize major US defence sales and industrial partnerships also set the stage for this expanded collaboration.