The world is waiting for the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump later this week. While both leaders are expected to touch upon various aspects of defence cooperation, several critical issues and high-profile procurement projects are set to dominate their talks.

Key Issues to be Raised

Sources confirmed to FinancialExpress.com on the sidelines of the ongoing Aero India 2025, “During their discussions, Prime Minister Modi is expected to address several pressing concerns related to ongoing military procurement programs. Notably, the delay in engine supplies by US company GE, which is impacting delivery of the Light Combat Aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), will be a significant topic.”

Additionally, “Modi will likely raise concerns regarding the delay in the delivery of Apache helicopters for the Indian Army, which are vital to enhancing India’s tactical airlift and strike capabilities. The conversation is also expected to include a follow-on order for the P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the Indian Navy, a crucial platform for surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.”

Deepening Defence Cooperation

According to sources, one of the major themes of the meeting will be the deepening of defence ties between India and the United States. Both nations are keen on expanding their strategic partnership, especially in the areas of maritime domain awareness and defence technology transfer. A key aspect of the growing collaboration is the mutual interest in securing the Indo-Pacific region, where both nations face common security challenges. The US has made it clear that it seeks to see more Indian acquisitions of American-made security equipment, as discussed during the January 2025 phone call between the two leaders.

The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Deal

A major point of contention and competition during these talks will be the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, in which both the United States and France are vying for India’s attention.

As reported by FinancialExpress.com previously, the US has proposed its F-21, F-15EX, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, while France has pushed for its Rafale aircraft. Given the Trump administration’s strong push for Indian defence acquisitions from the US, it is expected that he will urge India to prioritize American manufacturers for this lucrative contract. The outcome of the MRFA deal will have significant implications for the US-India defence relationship, with both Boeing and Lockheed Martin eager to secure the deal.

The Aero Engine Race

Alongside fighter jets, another critical area of competition is the development of aero engines. The US, France, and Russia are all vying for India’s trust in this strategic sector. India has been working with GE on the F-404 and F-414 engines, used in the Tejas Mk1A and Mk2 aircraft, respectively. The US is seeking to increase its influence in this domain by offering technology transfer and production collaboration. France, through Safran, is also offering co-design and manufacturing opportunities for engines, particularly in relation to India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Meanwhile, Russia has entered the fray by showcasing its fifth-generation fighter engine at Aero India, with hopes of rekindling its collaboration with India on jet engine development.

Collaboration with France and Russia

France is set to sign a series of major defence deals with India, including the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets and three additional `Scorpene’ submarines, worth over Rs 1 lakh crore. Beyond these, France is keen on securing the MRFA contract, which remains a highly competitive field. The deals are expected to be inked as early as April-May, sources added.

Russia, traditionally a strong partner in India’s defence sector, is also looking to strengthen its ties. Moscow is particularly interested in joint production opportunities for its Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft and is offering collaborative development of India’s own stealth fighter. With a range of deals from missiles to fighter jets, Russia is keen to cement its role as a key defence supplier to India, despite growing competition from the US and France.

Importance of the meeting

The meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi at Aero India comes at a crucial juncture, with global defence and geopolitical dynamics evolving rapidly. As both nations face challenges from an increasingly assertive China, their defence cooperation will be key to securing stability in the Indo-Pacific region.