U.S. to boost military sales to India
In a significant strategic development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to boost military sales to India, including the future provision of F-35 fighter jets. The announcement, made during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a substantial evolution in U.S. - India defense cooperation.
The initiative is part of a new 10-year defense framework between the two nations, encompassing collaboration across air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace domains. India, already a major purchaser of U.S. military equipment with over $20 billion in acquisitions since 2008, is expected to invest approximately $200 billion in military modernization over the next decade.
Lockheed Martin, the F-35's manufacturer, noted that any potential F-35 sales would be handled through government-to-government channels, with the Pentagon serving as an intermediary. This follows India's recent agreement to purchase 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian drones after six years of negotiations.
The shift represents a notable change in India's defense procurement strategy, which has historically relied heavily on Russian equipment. Russia's reduced ability to export weapons due to the Ukraine war has prompted India, the world's largest arms importer, to look toward Western alternatives.
The agreement is widely interpreted as a strategic response to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, reinforcing the U.S.-India alliance's role in maintaining regional stability. While the announcement has generated optimism, experts stress the importance of addressing existing trade and tariff disputes between the two nations, with both sides working toward finalizing aspects of a trade deal by fall 2025.
This enhanced military cooperation signifies a major step forward in U.S.-India relations, potentially reshaping regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific theater.
