India and US Welcome Advancements in Defence and Nuclear Energy Collaboration

India and US Welcome Advancements in Defence and Nuclear Energy Collaboration

VoM News Desk | September 8, 2023 | 07:14 PM IST | Breaking News, World | Follow on Google News

India and US Welcome Advancements in Defence and Nuclear Energy Collaboration. Image/NDTV

Commercial Agreement for Jet Engines and Nuclear Energy Collaboration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden welcomed the progress in India-US defence and nuclear energy cooperation. They celebrated the completion of the notification process regarding negotiations for a commercial agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India. This initiative represents a significant co-production and technology transfer proposal.

Importance of Nuclear Energy and Climate Goals

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of nuclear energy to address climate, energy transition, and energy security needs. They stressed the necessity of deepening and diversifying the India-US Major Defence Partnership. This includes expanding cooperation in emerging domains like space and artificial intelligence (AI) and fostering accelerated defence industrial collaboration.

Collaboration in Nuclear Energy

Intensified consultations between relevant entities from both nations aim to expand opportunities for India-US collaboration in nuclear energy. This includes the development of next-generation small modular reactor technologies collaboratively. The US expressed its support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and pledged to continue engagement with like-minded partners to advance this goal.

Enhancing Defence Capabilities

President Biden welcomed India’s issuance of a Letter of Request to procure 31 General Atomics MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft, enhancing India’s armed forces’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The leaders applauded the conclusion of a second Master Ship Repair Agreement, further advancing India’s role as a hub for the maintenance and repair of forward-deployed US Navy assets and other aircraft and vessels.

Advancing Defence Innovation

PM Modi and President Biden commended the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) team for its collaboration in addressing shared security challenges. INDUS-X initiated programmes like the Academia Start-up Partnership and the Joint Accelerator Program for Indian Startups. These efforts harness the innovative capabilities of the US and Indian defence sectors.

Joint Challenges for Defence Technology

India and the US welcomed the launch of joint challenges by the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence and the US Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit. These challenges invite start-ups to develop solutions for shared defence technology challenges, fostering innovation in the sector.

VoM News Desk

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