The Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), was on an official visit to Washington D.C., the United States of America (USA) from 23rd to 26th August 2024 at the invitation of the Lloyd Austin, United States Secretary of Defense.
- Both sides engaged in discussions on bilateral defence cooperation, industrial collaboration, regional security, and international issues.
- Several key agreements and initiatives were undertaken to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the USA.
Highlights:
i.India and the USA signed two significant agreements during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Washington DC, USA. An Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between India and the USA for the deployment of Liaison Officers.
- India will deploy its first liaison officer to the U.S. Headquarters Special Operations Command in Florida.
ii.Rajnath Singh and Lloyd Austin also highlighted the conclusion of the bilateral, non-binding Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) between India and US, which was signed on 22nd August 2024. India is the 18th SOSA partner of the USA.
- The SOSA was signed by Dr. Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, on behalf of the USA, and Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions), on behalf of the MoD, India.
- Through this SOSA, India and US commits to provide reciprocal priority support for critical defence resources. It aims to enhance supply chain resilience, support industrial collaboration, and pave the way for joint production and interoperability of defence equipment.
- The SoSA allows USA based companies more flexibility to expand operations in India, with potential future binding agreements for prioritizing support.
Key Points:
i.The USA will provide India assurances under the USA Defence Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), which will be supported by the Department of Defence (DoD) and rating authorization by the Department of Commerce (DOC).
ii.Other nations that have signed the SOSA with the USA are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom(UK).
USA Approves USD 52.8 Million Sale of Sonobuoys to India
The USA has approved the Foreign Military Sale of Sonobuoys and related gears to India at an estimated cost of USD 52.8 million.
This aims to enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, particularly for its MH-60R helicopters.
- The principal contractors are Sparton Corporation and Undersea Sensor Systems Inc.
Key Points:
i.This sale aims to strengthen the USA-India strategic relationship, bolster regional security, and enhance India’s ability to counter current and future threats.
ii.The Government of India has requested to buy AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys; technical and publications and data documentation; USA Government and contractor engineering and technical support; and other related elements of logistics and program services and support.
India-USA agrees to Advance Co-Production Agreements:
India and the USA agreed to advance co-production projects, including the GE F-414 engine for Tejas Mk-2 aircraft and Stryker armoured infantry combat vehicles.
- Discussions were also held to expand cooperation in undersea and space domains.
MoD Minister Visit to Naval Surface Warfare Centre:
MoD Minister Rajnath Singh visited the William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel (LCC) in Memphis, Tennessee, where the USA Navy tests submarines and naval surface ships. India plans to set up a similar facility.
- Operational since 1991, The LCC, part of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, is a leading U.S. Navy research facility specializing in ship and submarine design.
Visit to National Civil Rights Museum:
On August 25, Rajnath Singh visited the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and interacted with the Indian diaspora.
India’s Participation in Combined Maritime Forces (CMF):
India will deploy Navy personnel to CMF’s Combined Task Force 150 headquarters in 2025, reflecting the growing maritime cooperation between the two nations.
Recent Related News:
i.The Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD), has notified the 5th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) comprising 346 items, to boost Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing and reducing imports by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
ii.According to the Union Ministry of Defence (MoD),Government of India(GoI), India’s annual domestic defence production has hit a record high of approximately Rs 1.27 lakh crore i.e. Rs 1, 26,887 crore in FY24(2023-24).
About United States of America (USA):
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– USA Dollar
President– Joe Biden
