Pact on producing military equipment

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

India and the US have signed an important agreement that paves way for private military equipment manufacturing companies of either country to work together to co-develop and co-produce systems, weapons and cutting-edge surveillance platforms.

The Industrial Security Annex (ISA) was signed at a meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Dr Mark T Esper. This was inked on the sidelines of 2+2 ministerial dialogue to review the security, defence and strategic partnership between India and the US.

In the US, Rajnath Singh said he hoped ISA would enable smooth transfer of classified technology and information between private entities of USA and India.

India and US are looking at three joint projects. These include air-launched unmanned airborne systems (UAS), lightweight small arms technology and innovations in the field of intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (ISTAR). The ISA will lay down the foundational framework for the companies to work together.

“The ISA provides the framework for pursuing co-development and co-production linkages in the defence manufacturing sector,” Rajnath Singh said in his opening remarks to the media in the US after the dialogue. India has pledged legal safeguards for US firms working on latest technologies with Indian companies.

India’s stated priority is to take this partnership beyond the acquisition of platforms and equipment to significant transfer of defence technology and increased investment by US Defence companies in India.

“The two sides concluded the Industrial Security Annex during the visit,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said.

Priority initiatives have been identified for execution under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) programme. The two sides also concluded a standard operating procedure for this process. These measures are expected to provide momentum to collaboration between the private defence industries of both India and the US. The two sides also agreed to move forward in their engagement in the area of defence innovation, the statement added.