In recent years, substantial progress has been made in US-India defense cooperation, especially in the joint development of defense technologies, enhanced interoperability, and military cooperation. With new defense tech initiatives and major collaborations, these partnerships not only enhance defense capabilities but also drive local job creation and economic development within the United States.
A Trustworthy Partner
Classified as a “major defense partner” of the United States since 2016, India has become a key ally in advancing regional security in the Indo-Pacific and strengthening technological and defense capabilities. On February 13th, 2025, President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington DC to discuss defense and technology cooperation, among other issues. During this visit, the leaders issued the United States-India Joint Leaders’ Statement that reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in defense and technology innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems.
India has emerged as a pivotal regional actor capable of bolstering maritime security, technological resilience, and collective deterrence. The Joint Statement also mentioned the convergence of mutual interests, the leaders’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, and plans to sign a new ten-year framework for the "US-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century" later this year. In addition, the President and the Prime Minister pledged to enhance military cooperation and increase trust, understanding, and integration between the US and Indian militaries. This includes supporting military deployments in the Indian Ocean, as well as expanding intelligence sharing and joint humanitarian operations. A major example of this cooperation is Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025, a continuation of the bilateral exercise first hosted in 2019. Taking place in India over two weeks in early April, the 2025 iteration will involve around 3,000 personnel from both countries and will include the US Space Force for the first time. The Space Force’s participation will bring satellite technology to improve situational awareness in mission planning and execution.
These efforts reflect the growing bipartisan support for US-India defense cooperation, a trend that was further underscored by the 2024 US-India Defense Cooperation Act, sponsored by then-Florida Senator and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although the bill ultimately did not pass, it highlighted the increasing recognition of India as a key strategic defense partner in the Indo-Pacific along with the likes of Japan and South Korea. More recently, on March 17h, 2025, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard traveled to India and met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss intelligence sharing and security collaboration, focusing on terrorism and technological threats. This marked the first senior-level visit to India from the second Trump administration. These high-level engagements have further strengthened the trust and cooperation between the two allied nations.
Innovation in Action
A highlight of Prime Minister Modi’s visit was reinforcing ongoing support for the INDUS-X Defense Innovation Initiative, a bilateral partnership that fosters collaboration between American and Indian defense companies, investors, and universities to develop essential capabilities for their respective armed forces. This initiative will celebrate two successful years in June 2025, and both leaders expressed support for holding a summit later this year, following previous gatherings in New Delhi, India, and Silicon Valley, California. Since its launch, INDUS-X has allocated more than $1 million in funding to US companies to transform their innovative designs into technological solutions aimed at addressing warfighting challenges such as maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and underwater communications. Workshops organized by FedTech and IIT Hyderabad have also helped over 120 defense start-ups better understand and navigate US and India defense environments.
Moreover, the leaders also unveiled the launch of INDUS Innovation, modeled after its namesake INDUS X. This “innovation bridge” will enhance US-India industry and academic partnerships, driving investments in sectors like space, energy, and emerging technologies to meet the evolving demands of the 21st century. Additionally, they introduced the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), aimed at expanding industry partnerships and autonomous systems manufacturing across the Indo-Pacific region. For example, in February 2025, American defense technology company Anduril Industries revealed a new strategic partnership with India’s Mahindra Group to enhance regional security by advancing counter-drone capabilities and improving maritime operational effectiveness.
Local Impacts
On a local level, industrial partnerships between American and Indian defense companies provide opportunities for job creation and contribute to the development of local economies. The aforementioned Anduril Industries is building its first hyperscale production plant in Columbus, Ohio, representing a $1 billion investment that will create 4,000 jobs—making it the largest employment initiative in the state’s history. In a press release from Anduril Industries, Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-3) highlighted this development as a key opportunity to, “further establish Ohio’s capital as a global hub for aerospace and innovation,” recognizing the state’s legacy in the sector. This facility will significantly accelerate the production of autonomous systems and weaponry for the United States and its allies, deepening defense ties with India.
As India’s third largest defense supplier, the United States plays a critical role in bolstering India’s defense capabilities through the sale of advanced defense equipment. In 2023, India signed a deal with General Electric (GE) to co-produce F414 jet engines for its Tejas fighter jets. GE Aerospace, headquartered in Evandale, Ohio, stands to benefit from increased aerospace manufacturing and high-tech research and design (R&D) jobs. Additionally, India bought 12 P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft from Boeing, with the potential for more orders in the future. Many of these P-8 will be produced at Boeing’s newly opened factory in Seattle, Washington.
In 2024, increased defense-tech cooperation between the United States and India has also led to expanded industrial partnerships. Notable collaborations include Skydio—a leading US drone manufacturer headquartered in San Mateo, California—and India-based Aeroarc, which are working together to advance AI-enabled unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to meet growing global demand from Indian customers. US defense corporation General Atomics (GA) has also teamed up with Indian companies 114ai, Bharat Forge Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and others to develop software frameworks, AI models, and components for MQ-9B aircraft, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). This collaboration coincides with India’s plan to purchase 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance drones from General Atomics, most of which are built in California and tested at their Flight Test and Training Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The unique winter conditions in North Dakota make it an ideal location for conducting cold-temperature validation tests, ensuring the drones can operate reliably in extreme weather. It is US defense collaborations like this that help shift India’s defense partnerships away from Russia—India’s top defense supplier.
The growing defense partnership between the United States and India is re-shaping the strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening both nations’ technological and defense capabilities. As both countries continue to deepen their collaboration in defense technology and manufacturing, the benefits are becoming increasingly evident, ranging from job creation and technological advancement to fortifying regional security against rising challenges. This evolving alliance underscores the importance of not only enhancing their own national security but also contributing to greater stability and peace across the Indo-Pacific.
Emma Potts is a Spring 2025 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. Emma recently graduated from Columbia University, majoring in Political Science and East Asian Languages & Cultures.
Alex Vu is a Spring 2025 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. Alex is currently a junior at the University of South Florida, studying Econometrics & Political Science.