In a graphic: India-US—Brothers in Arms
A look at some of the big military hardware deals the two countries are negotiating
One of the key pillars of the Indo-US defence relationship is the sale of military hardware. Over the past decade, the US has emerged as one of the largest suppliers of arms to India, selling aircraft, helicopters and missiles worth $22 billion (Rs 1.4 lakh crore). Deals worth close to $10 billion (Rs 73,825 crore) are either being negotiated or are close to being signed. These include repeat orders for the P-8I Poseidon long range maritime patrol aircraft and the C-130J transport aircraft, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction. There are breakthrough deals, like those for 30 MQ-9 Predator-B drones worth $3 billion (Rs 22,147 crore)—among the single biggest deals in recent years—being negotiated for the three Indian armed services. There are others like the NASAMS-II, a missile shield meant to protect vital installations in New Delhi from aerial threats, and for ISTAR aircraft, meant to detect targets on the ground.
