Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to embark on a five-day visit to the United States starting August 21, following the clearance of two significant defence deals by India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
The deals, which include the procurement of MQ-9B Predator drones and the Indian Navy’s involvement in the QUAD Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), have been pivotal in advancing India’s defence strategy and cooperation with the US.
DAC clears predator drone deal
The DAC, during its meeting on July 31, gave the green light to the MQ-9B Predator drone deal, albeit with some amendments. The deal, valued at $3.9 billion, includes the acquisition of 31 armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along with missiles and guided bombs.
Initially, the plan was to integrate a DRDO-developed anti-shipping missile into the Predator drones. However, this idea was shelved after the manufacturer, General Atomics, demanded an exorbitant sum for the integration. Instead, the deal now emphasizes a 30% indigenization clause, ensuring that a significant portion of the drones’ components will be manufactured in India.
Singh is scheduled to meet with his US counterpart, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, at the Pentagon on August 23. This meeting is expected to further solidify India-US defence ties, with both sides keen on enhancing their strategic partnership.
Navy joins QUAD's IPMDA initiative
In addition to the Predator deal, the Modi government has approved the Indian Navy’s participation in the QUAD Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). This initiative, announced by the QUAD nations in May 2022, aims to enhance transparency and security in the Indo-Pacific region through satellite-based surveillance.
As part of this partnership, the Indian Navy will collaborate with HawkEye 360, a commercial satellite operator that owns a constellation of 36 satellites. These satellites are designed to monitor radio frequency emissions, allowing for the detection of vessels that have deliberately switched off their transponders. Such vessels are often involved in illicit activities such as piracy, terrorism, and arms trafficking.
The HawkEye 360 satellites will provide the QUAD nations with critical information on dark shipping and other covert operations in the Indo-Pacific. The IPMDA is seen as a crucial step in ensuring freedom of navigation in the contested waters of Southeast Asia, and the Indian Navy is expected to finalize its tie-up with HawkEye 360 soon.
Technology transfer and challenges
While the deal for the transfer of GE-414 engines, which will power the Tejas Mark II fighter jets, is progressing as planned, India is facing delays in the off-the-shelf supply of GE-404 engines for the Tejas Mark IA. The issue has been raised with the US, and Singh is likely to stress the urgency of the matter during his visit.
Singh’s discussions in the US will also include exchanges on the rising influence of China and the threat posed by non-state actors using drones to target merchant vessels. These discussions are particularly relevant in light of recent developments in the Middle East, where drones have been used in attacks on commercial shipping.
As Singh prepares for his US trip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will simultaneously embark on a state visit to Poland and Ukraine, further underscoring India’s active engagement in global geopolitical affairs.
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