Is it "free lunch"?, The United States sells "cutting-edge military technology" weapons to non allied countries for the first time | India | Military Industry
According to reports, the United States and India have recently reached an agreement on a roadmap for defense industry cooperation in the coming years, stating that this is expected to strengthen India's "defense manufacturing ambitions".
What are the special features of this defense cooperation between the United States and India compared to before? Can relevant cooperation achieve mutual goals?
Compromise between the United States and India?
According to reports, US Defense Secretary Austin recently visited India and finalized a roadmap for defense industry cooperation in the coming years with Indian Defense Secretary Singh. The United States stated that this move aims to change the "paradigm" of cooperation between the defense departments of the two countries.
Military observer Liang Yongchun stated that the breakthrough in defense cooperation between the United States and India is that India will be able to obtain equipment technology transfer from the United States or jointly produce related weapons and equipment with the United States.
Liang Yongchun:
India is one of the world's major arms importing countries, but the Modi government has always emphasized the diversification of arms import sources and "Made in India", requiring other countries not only to export weapons to India, but also to transfer relevant technologies and cooperate with Indian companies to produce these weapons.
The United States has previously refused to transfer military technology and production lines to India, but this time it has made important concessions by allowing General Electric to produce aircraft engines in India. At the same time, the United States also needs to provide satellite intelligence support to India. This is also the first time that the United States has transferred military technology to non allied countries.
Will this be a "free lunch"?
Data image: The Apache armed helicopter imported from the United States by India
The United States has always been an arrogant "second party" in arms sales, making various demands on the "first party" who purchases weapons.
In Liang Yongchun's view, "there is no free lunch in the world" when the United States is willing to make concessions to India.
Liang Yongchun:
The United States not only wants to dig a corner with Russia in the arms trade, but also wants to sow discord between Russia and India. At the same time, it also gives India the courage to incite India to resist China by providing military technology and weapons and equipment.
Although India can obtain some American military technology, due to its weak industrial foundation, it is not easy to fully understand and digest these technologies. India imported the Su-30 fighter jet production line from Russia 20 years ago, but until now, it can only import parts for assembly and production, and has not been able to achieve true localization.
Just as the United States left, Germany came again?
Data image: German Navy's "Bavaria" frigate
After the visit of the US Defense Minister to India, the German Defense Minister Pistorius immediately visited India. Pistorius stated that German naval vessel suppliers may participate in a bid for India's $5.2 billion procurement of six submarines. In addition, Germany also hopes to strengthen military cooperation with departments such as the Indian Navy and Air Force.
Is the visit of the German Defense Minister to India related to the United States? Liang Yongchun stated that although the defense ministers of the two countries visited India before and after, they did not engage in any joint activities, so it is difficult to say that it was a joint operation.
Liang Yongchun:
After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the European economy was in a downturn, and Germany did not want to miss out on large arms importers like India.
Germany has a certain level of military production capacity, and its conventional powered submarine technology is good. In addition, Germany has announced that starting from next year, it will send a frigate and a supply ship to the Indo Pacific region for regular activities, which requires finding a "foothold" and close defense cooperation with India.