India and the U.S. are discussing possibilities of co-producing jet engines, long-range artillery and infantry vehicles under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) announced earlier this year and officials said some high-technology initiatives are expected to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the U.S. next month. Ahead of the visit, launch of INDUS-X under the iCET to promote partnerships between the two countries’ defence innovation ecosystems is scheduled in Washington.
In the run up to the visit, these issues were discussed at the 17th meeting of India-U.S. Defence Policy Group (DPG) chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane from India and Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl last week. “The two sides reviewed the progress made in furthering defence industrial cooperation and operationalising the India-U.S. Major Defence Partnership. Important aspects such as military-to-military cooperation, implementation of foundational defence agreements, exercises and the ongoing and future cooperative activities in the Indian Ocean Region were discussed,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry further said that considerable focus was given on the ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation, including technology partnership, long-term research and development, and improving supply chain security. “The meeting also discussed promoting co-development and co-production in India including potential areas and projects where Indian and U.S. defence companies could work together.”
Mr. Aramane also held a meeting with Deputy Secretary of Defence Dr. Kathleen Hicks on which Pentagon issued a statement. “The two leaders welcomed the upcoming launch of INDUS-X in advance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. in June, and highlighted its value as an opportunity to promote partnerships between the two countries’ defence innovation ecosystems,” Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon said.
The INDUS-X is going to be …read more
Source:: News Wire
