New Delhi: As defence partnership between India and US progresses, both countries are expected to co-produce armoured vehicles for the Indian Army as part of defence industrial cooperation. Stryker armoured vehicle is battlefield tested in Afghanistan and has been offered by the US to the Indian Army.
Defence Secretary Girish Armane in response to a question at a special briefing following the 2+2 India-US Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi, said: “The initial offer on the Infantry combat vehicle has come from the US, we have expressed our interest in taking co-development, co-production part ahead.”
Stryker is an agile eight-wheel-drive V-hull armoured infantry vehicle renowned for adaptability in diverse combat scenarios. Manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, its features, including a 30 mm cannon and a 105 mm mobile gun, position it as a valuable asset in insurgent or wartime settings, enhancing the tactical prowess of military operations.
Later in the evening, underling that the foundation of the US-India relationship extends beyond addressing challenges posed by China, the visiting US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, addressing the media, highlighted the profound shared values between the two nations. Accompanying Austin was Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while the Indian delegation, led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, mirrored the commitment to this diplomatic engagement.
Underscoring the collaborative effort to co-produce an armoured vehicle and highlighting its strategic significance, Austin responding to inquiries, affirmed that discussions covered a wide spectrum of topics, prominently addressing the escalating security concerns emanating from China. Importantly, Austin reiterated that the robust US-India alliance is not solely reactive to external challenges but is fundamentally rooted in shared values.
US Defence Secretary Austin, addressing the procurement of 31 MQ-9B drones from the US, assured that the details would be disclosed at an appropriate juncture, highlighting the government’s dedication to swiftly acquiring this capability for India. He further disclosed the elevation of US-India defence activities across various domains, spanning from space to the undersea realm, reflecting the comprehensive nature of their strategic collaboration.
The discussion encompassed key geopolitical regions, including the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Ukraine. Austin asserted that the cooperation between the US and India is at its zenith, characterising the partnership as stronger than ever.
