India US Defence Cooperation Trends December 2025 – Overall Trend Positive

Amidst challenges to political and trade relations India and the US defence relations are on a positive track. Here is a list of recent events that denote that politics may not be impacting defence cooperation so far.

Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh met with US Secretary of War Mr Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 31, 2025.  The two signed the ‘framework for the US-India major defence partnership’ which will usher a new era in an already strong defence partnership.  The 2025 framework marks a new chapter to further transform the partnership over the next 10 years.

India and the United States reaffirmed commitment to enhanced interoperability and mutual security at the two-day India-US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting in Hawaii. Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit co-chaired the 22nd edition of the MCG meeting on 3rd and 4th of this month with Lieutenant General Joshua M. Rudd, Deputy Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command. 

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri is at Guam in the Northern Pacific for participation in the multilateral Exercise Malabar-2025.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on November 07 announced an agreement with American defence company General Electric (GE) to procure 113 jet engines for its Tejas light combat aircraft programme to be around USD 1 billion (roughly ₹8,870 crore). F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package will support execution of 97 LCA Mk1A programme,

Future Procurements

Apart from high level dialogue, staff talks, training exercises, some future procurements in the offing are summarized as follows:-

India to receive 31 armed MQ-9B Predator high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drones from the US, an order valued at $3.8 billion. Deliveries expected in the 2029-30 timeframe.

Discussions on going for co-production of the more advanced GE F414 engines in India to power the future Tejas Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programs.

Indian Navy in the process of purchasing an additional $1.1 billion of high-end technical equipment to support existing fleet of P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft and  purchasing six more aircraft.

The US is actively marketing the Stryker armored infantry combat vehicle for potential joint manufacturing in India. However recent trials held demonstrate inadequacy of engine power in rigorous terrain environment in the country.

Discussions are ongoing for potential purchases of Javelin anti-tank missiles.

US defence major, Lockheed Martin is likely to participate in the Indian Air Force Medium Transport Aircraft [MTA] competitive bidding amidst extensive experience of the IAF in operating the C 130 J aircraft procured from the company.