Syllabus: GS2/International Relation
Context
- The US State Department has approved the sale of the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system and the M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery munitions worth $93 million to India.
- This is being seen as a first in a series of defence deals to be signed after both countries signed a 10-year framework to deepen bilateral defence relations.
FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system
- The Javelin missile system is a modern anti-tank guided missile system that is used extensively across the world.
- It is a single man-portable fire-and-forget medium-range anti-tank weapon system designed to defeat all known and projected threat armour.
- Javelin automatically guides itself to the target after the initial launch, allowing the operator to take cover, relocate or prepare to engage another threat.
- India has requested up to 216 of the M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles for purchase.
- For the Indian Army, Excalibur offers an opportunity to significantly expand precision-strike capacity without adding new artillery platforms.
- Precision-guided munitions also help conserve ammunition in high-altitude conflict zones, where logistics chains are often stretched.
- Significance: The combined packages, worth an estimated $92.8 million, reflect the converging defence priorities between India and U.S., while also supporting India’s long-term plans for self-reliance in advanced munitions.
India – US Defence Ties
- Defence ties have transformed from transactional to a Major Defense Partnership (2016).
- Guided by mechanisms such as:
- 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
- Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) (2012)
- Military Cooperation Group (MCG)
- India is designated as “Major Defense Partner” and given Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) status (2018), easing high-tech exports.
- India has signed all four major foundational agreements with the U.S.:
- General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002 and the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016.
- COMCASA (2018) – Secure communications & interoperability.
- Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA 2020) for Geo-spatial intelligence & satellite data for precision targeting.
- Military Exercises: Among India’s most extensive set of exercises with any country.
- Yudh Abhyas: Land forces.
- Malabar: Naval quadrilateral with US, India, Japan, Australia.
- Cope India: Air exercise.
- Tiger Triumph: Tri-service HADR exercise.
- Vajra Prahar: Special forces.
- The deals, pursued under emergency procurement powers, allow the armed forces to bypass the long procurement process for contracts, with a maximum ceiling of Rs 300 crore under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.
Significance of India-US Defence Ties
- Enhances India’s Defence Capabilities: Access to advanced U.S. technologies improves India’s surveillance, lift, and combat readiness.
- Foundational agreements (LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA) boost interoperability, secure communications, real-time intelligence, and precision targeting.
- Supports Defence Modernization & Indigenisation: Technology cooperation through DTTI, jet engine collaboration, and defence innovation partnerships (DIU–iDEX) promote co-production and co-development.
- Strengthens Maritime Security & Indo-Pacific Strategy: Naval cooperation and exercises enhance India’s ability to secure the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Boosts Counter-Terrorism & Intelligence Cooperation: Information-sharing mechanisms, designations of terrorist groups, and cooperation in UN & FATF strengthen India’s global counter-terrorism efforts.
- Contributes to Regional and Global Stability: India–U.S. convergence in Afghanistan, West Asia, and Indo-Pacific contributes to broader strategic stability.
- Helps maintain balance of power in Asia amid rising geopolitical competition.
Source: LM
