Get, Jet, Go – on India-US agreement to co-produce fighter jets

Source– The post is based on the article “Bonn meeting: Taking stock of climate action” published in the “The Indian Express” on 7th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral and multilateral agreements involving India

News: India and the US have made significant progress in their strategic relations by agreeing to co-produce fighter jet engines.

India and the US are set to sign a formal agreement for the co-production of GE-F414 engines. The agreement may be signed in the next visit of Indian PM to the US. This agreement involves a 100% transfer of technology.

What is the significance of the agreement?

Only a few countries currently manufacture their own jet engines.

India’s previous attempt to develop an indigenous engine, the Kaveri project, failed to meet technical requirements. The new deal with the US is a crucial step towards building India’s own military-industrial complex in line with the goal of Atmanirbhar defence.

Given the changing geopolitical environment, including the China-Pakistan axis and the new China-Russia compact, strengthening the India-US military relationship is crucial for India.

Importing defence equipment from Russia become harder due to US-led sanctions against Moscow.