The US Secretary for Air Force, Frank Kendall, recently revealed that the US and India are close to finalizing an air information-sharing agreement as part of growing defense cooperation between the two countries. This agreement is a part of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) signed in 2020, along with two other foundation agreements, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) signed in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Kendall did not provide further details on the contours of the agreement. He also refused to comment on a news report that stated the US had shared intelligence with India, which helped contain Chinese incursions at the borders. Earlier in the day, Kendall met with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and had meetings with the team of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the Ministry of Defense among others, which he termed "very positive."
Kendall said that India's Make in India program, which is pushing for most defense equipment and platforms to be produced in India, should be implemented in stages. Calling the need for a certain percentage of military equipment to be produced in India "problematic," he said this can be difficult to meet as a practical matter. He said that one approach is where the transition is phased in. You may start with a smaller fraction that is desired, but have a clear path to get there over time as you work together.
The US and India are discussing a possible technology transfer of jet engines, which Kendall said would be a step in the right direction. He added that they have not finalized any agreements, but the offer that General Electric has put on the table is very much a step in the right direction. He said the offer that General Electric has on the table for engine technology is in some ways a breakthrough, and he's hoping that they can work together and find a way to move that forward.
Regarding the status of the 30 MQ-9B predator armed drones, which India was seeking to buy from the US at a cost of over $3 billion, Kendall said the US has some systems that it thinks would potentially be very beneficial that meet India's requirements of medium and high altitude unmanned aerial vehicles, and both the countries are discussing this. Kendall said that India should decide what type of capabilities it needs for its fighter force. If American capabilities can meet those requirements, he thinks they are prepared to discuss those. They are very interested in working with India on that possibility.
In conclusion, Kendall highlighted that the US and India have strong shared values as democracies, shared security concerns across the spectrum of security interests, and added that India is a valuable partner and a major defense partner of distinction for the US. He said that they share values and interest in peace and stability in the region, particularly in the Indo Pacific, but globally as well. He added that they are building trust with India substantially and it has increased dramatically.
