From fighter jets and armored combat vehicles to missiles and aero-engines, the Trump administration is set to push India to further increase its military purchases from the US. Since 2007, India has already procured US defense equipment worth over $25 billion, but President Donald Trump’s transactional approach signals a demand for more.
In a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Trump reportedly urged India to ramp up its procurement of US-origin weapon systems and platforms. This comes just months after India signed a $3.3 billion deal for 31 weaponized MQ-9B Predator drones and another $520 million agreement with General Atomics to establish an MRO facility in India. However, these deals were finalized during the final days of the Biden administration, and Trump is now expected to push for new big-ticket contracts.
India, while acknowledging the technological superiority of US military equipment, remains firm on its “Make in India” policy, focusing on co-development and co-production rather than outright purchases. “India will have to negotiate carefully with the new Trump administration,” said a senior official, emphasizing the need for foreign collaboration at a reasonable cost.
Major Deals on the Table
- GE F414 Aero-Engines for Tejas Mark-II Fighters: India and the US are in advanced techno-commercial negotiations for co-producing General Electric F414-INS6 aero-engines with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The $1.5 billion deal involves an 80% transfer of technology, marking a significant step in India’s indigenous fighter jet program.
- Stryker Armored Infantry Combat Vehicles: The US is aggressively pushing for joint production of the latest-generation Stryker armored vehicles, part of the bilateral defense-industrial roadmap finalized in June 2023. The Indian Army has projected a requirement for 527 wheeled ICVs, and last September, the US demonstrated the Stryker’s capabilities in high-altitude Ladakh, raising concerns over the neglect of indigenous alternatives.
- IAF’s 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Program: With the Indian Air Force (IAF) looking to acquire 114 multi-role fighter aircraft through foreign collaboration, the US is set to showcase its F-16 and fifth-generation F-35 fighters at the upcoming Aero India exhibition in Bengaluru (Feb 10-14). The estimated ₹1.25 lakh crore project is now moving forward, and Washington sees it as a major opportunity.
- Follow-On Support for MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters: India is also planning to procure technical support and equipment worth $1.1 billion for its 24 MH-60R Seahawk submarine-hunting helicopters, acquired under a $2.13 billion deal signed in February 2020.
Strategic Implications
The Trump administration’s push for increased defense sales aligns with US-India strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific but also brings challenges. India aims to maintain technological self-reliance while leveraging American military expertise. Negotiations will focus on balancing cost, technology transfer, and local production, ensuring that India’s long-term defense needs are met without excessive reliance on foreign suppliers.
With high-profile defense discussions set to take center stage, the coming months will be crucial in shaping India-US defense cooperation under Trump’s renewed presidency.
