India and the US Forge a Landmark 10‑Year Defence Pact
On July 1, 2025, India and the United States announced the framework of an ambitious new 10‑year defence pact, marking a major leap forward in their strategic partnership. Though the formal signing is expected later this year, the pact already sets a clear roadmap for enhanced cooperation in arms sales, joint exercises, and co‑development projects through 2035.
A Decade of Deepening Ties
Over the last decade, India and the US defence relationship has grown from occasional arms transfers into a full‑spectrum partnership. From the logistics-sharing agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 to the communications pact (COMCASA) in 2018, and the geospatial sharing deal (BECA) in 2020, each step has built greater trust and interoperability. This new 10‑year framework represents the next chapter—one designed to address evolving security challenges in the Indo‑Pacific region.
What’s Inside the Pact?
1. Accelerated Arms Sales and Co‑production
Both sides have committed to fast‑tracking pending US defence sales to India, while expanding co‑production facilities on Indian soil. Key projects under discussion include advanced fighter‑jet engines, modern artillery systems, and next‑generation unmanned platforms—all to be manufactured or assembled in India. This move not only equips India’s armed forces with cutting‑edge capabilities but also creates jobs and expertise under the “Make in India” initiative.
2. More Joint Exercises and Interoperability
To ensure their forces can operate seamlessly together, India and the US will hold more frequent and larger joint exercises. The focus will span network‑centric warfare, cyber‑defence drills, and maritime security operations. Permanent liaison officers will be stationed at each other’s key command centers, streamlining planning and information exchange for rapid, coordinated responses.
3. Defence Industrial Collaboration
A series of bilateral working groups will be set up to create shared supply chains, finalize technology‑transfer protocols, and chart co‑development roadmaps. This collaboration is aimed at reducing costs, minimizing bureaucratic delays, and ensuring both nations share the benefits of research and manufacturing.
Why It Matters
For India, the deal guarantees predictable access to advanced US military technology and supports its broader goal of modernizing and diversifying its defence inventory. It also enhances India’s ability to balance China’s growing military presence along their border and in the wider Indo‑Pacific.
For the United States, a closer defence partnership with India strengthens the vision of a “Free and Open Indo‑Pacific.” By anchoring India firmly among like‑minded democracies, Washington helps distribute the security burden and enhances collective deterrence against potential aggression.
Regional Ripples
Beyond the bilateral benefits, the pact sends a clear signal across the region that US–India cooperation is robust and long‑lasting. Smaller Indo‑Pacific nations—such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia—may now feel more confident deepening their own security ties with either or both powers. With a decade‑long horizon, the agreement reduces the risk of sudden policy shifts and provides a stable framework for broader regional security dialogues.
From Blueprint to Reality
Despite the broad agreement on goals, turning plans into action will require navigating bureaucracy, synchronizing procurement schedules, and addressing technology‑security concerns. To keep the momentum going, India and the US will conduct annual “2+2” defence and foreign ministerial reviews, ensuring that progress is tracked, obstacles are tackled quickly, and both sides stay aligned.
Looking Ahead
As New Delhi and Washington prepare for the formal signing, the real test will be implementation. Success will be measured by the sight of joint exercises honing new tactics, co‑production lines churning out advanced systems, and interoperable forces standing ready. If executed well, this decade‑long defence pact could redefine security dynamics in South Asia and help anchor a more stable, rules‑based order across the Indo‑Pacific for years to come.
Stay tuned for updates as this landmark agreement moves from the drawing board to reality, reshaping regional security and industrial collaboration through 2035.
.png)
0 Comments