THE United States has approved a proposal to supply India with military equipment and logistical support assets worth $131 million, a move that underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. The clearance aligns with ongoing bilateral efforts to strengthen defense cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to an official readout, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which functions under the US Department of Defense, has certified the proposed sale and notified the US Congress as required under American law. The certification marks a key step in finalising the deal under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
Support for Indo-Pacific Strategy
The proposed delivery is part of broader US-India collaboration under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative. This programme aims to enhance regional security by improving India’s ability to monitor maritime threats, analyze intelligence, and strengthen its strategic defense posture in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
While Indian government officials have not yet issued a formal statement on the sale, the US has emphasised that the equipment will significantly boost India’s ability to address current and emerging security challenges. The sale is expected to enhance India’s maritime domain awareness and bolster its surveillance and analytical capabilities.
The principal contractor for the delivery is Hawkeye 360, a Virginia-based defense firm specialising in space-based radio frequency data analytics. The US readout also clarified that the sale would not negatively impact America’s own defense readiness.
India-US defense ties date back to the 1962 Sino-Indian War, when the United States supported India with military aircraft, weapons, and training. During that conflict, the US and UK also participated in limited joint air exercises with India.
The relationship has grown significantly in recent decades. In 2016, the US Congress designated India as a “Major Defense Partner,” a unique status that facilitates closer defense trade and technology cooperation. This designation has paved the way for increased arms sales, co-development projects, and joint exercises.
India’s Global Defense Partnerships
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has been the world’s largest importer of major arms (by value) since 1950, with total acquisitions exceeding $136 billion as of 2024.
Between 2008 and 2024, Russia accounted for the majority of India’s defense imports — approximately 59 per cent — followed by France (12 per cent), the United States (10 per cent), and Israel (9 per cent). Despite its relatively smaller share, the US has supplied India with critical high-end military platforms, including:
- Transport and maritime aircraft
- Attack and maritime helicopters
- Anti-ship missile systems
- Howitzers
India is now the largest foreign operator of the C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift transport aircraft and P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, both built by American defense manufacturers.
INDUS-X: A New Era of Defense Innovation
In 2023, the United States and India launched the INDUS-X initiative — the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem. The platform is aimed at promoting co-development, co-production, and innovation in strategic and emerging defense technologies. It reflects a mutual commitment to fostering industrial collaboration and reducing dependency on traditional defense suppliers.
As India continues to diversify its defense partnerships and expand its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, the latest US military package signals not just a deepening alliance, but a shared vision for regional security and technological advancement.
