Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the United States (August 23-27) comes at a critical time for India-U.S. defence relations. This visit is strategically significant as it precedes a much-anticipated visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in September. The focus of Singh’s talks is expected to center on addressing delays in crucial defence deals, which have become a pressing concern for India’s defence capabilities.

The Tejas Fighter Jet and Engine Delays

One of the key issues that Singh is expected to address during his visit is the delay in the supply of engines for India’s Tejas fighter jet, an indigenous aircraft critical to India’s defence modernization. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned company responsible for manufacturing the indigenous `Tejas’ fighter jets, has been facing delays due to the non-availability of engines from General Electric (GE), a US company. The specific engine in question is the F404 series, which is essential for the production of the 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets ordered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) under a contract worth Rs 48,000 crore signed in February 2021.

The contract stipulated that deliveries of these jets were to begin three years after signing, which means by March 2024. However, the delay in engine supplies has raised concerns about meeting this deadline. The minister is expected to take up this matter with his American counterpart, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, to expedite the engine supplies and ensure that HAL can meet its production targets.

Expanding Defence Cooperation

The minister will also visit the state of Tennessee which is home to several defence companies including Northrop Grumman, L3 Harris, Collins Aerospace, Boeing, Raytheon, and Pratt & Whitney among others.

Beyond the Tejas engine issue, Singh’s visit will also focus on broadening India-US defence cooperation in high-technology areas. Both nations are exploring co-production opportunities for several key defence platforms. Among these is the Javelin anti-tank guided missile and the Stryker armoured personnel carrier. India has expressed particular interest in the co-production of the Stryker, a move that could enhance its ground combat capabilities.

Another significant area of discussion will be the joint production of the General Electric F414 jet engine, which will power the Tejas Mark-2 fighter jets, an upgrade from the Mark-1A. This collaboration aligns with India’s broader goal of enhancing its indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

Strategic Technological Collaborations

In addition to defence hardware, Singh’s talks will likely cover critical and emerging technologies, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing. The US-India initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) is expected to be a focal point, with discussions likely to touch on the co-development of military-grade semiconductors for precision-guided missiles and other advanced systems.

Moreover, the two countries are working together on space situational awareness, data fusion technologies, and infrared sensor manufacturing, with the US Space Force and Indian startups playing a crucial role. These technological collaborations underscore the deepening strategic partnership between India and the US in the defence sector.

Building on Strong Bilateral Relations

Singh’s visit is seen as a step towards reinforcing the strong military relationship between India and the US, which has gained momentum in recent years. US Department of Defence Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized the importance of the relationship, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, a strategic area of interest for both nations.

As the two countries continue to expand their defence and technological cooperation, Singh’s visit is expected to pave the way for further collaborations, setting the stage for Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit in September. The outcome of these high-level discussions could have significant implications for the future of India-US defence ties and the broader geopolitical landscape.