https://sputniknews.in/20250304/us-reluctance-to-transfer-critical-defence-technology-harming-make-in-india-8832401.html
US Reluctance to Transfer Critical Defence Technology Harming 'Make in India'
US Reluctance to Transfer Critical Defence Technology Harming 'Make in India'
Sputnik India
Unlike India's time-tested partner Russia, the US has been non-committal on sharing advanced military technology. Sputnik India examines how this is impacting... 04.03.2025, Sputnik India
2025-03-04T20:58+0530
2025-03-04T20:58+0530
2025-03-04T20:58+0530
india
us
russia
the himalayas
galwan valley
make in india
self-reliant india
military equipment
military cooperation
lca tejas
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India's acquisition of American military platforms is hurting the 'Make in India' initiative since the US is reluctant to transfer technology to India for local production, a defence pundit has said.Hence, India should develop the capability to produce anything and everything required by the nation's security apparatus within the country, the Indian Army veteran said. But India's journey to become self-reliant in the defence sector only kicked off in 2014 with the launch of the 'Make in India' scheme, and becoming 'Atmanirbhar' in the military domain isn't an easy task, he added.The country must have deep pockets and be prepared for long gestation periods, from inception to co-designing and co-production, before the prototype is ready, trials are conducted, and deployment takes place prior to mass-scale induction, Jee emphasised.However, as of now, India lacks that level of research and development expenditure (R&D). Notably, only 0.65% of the nation's GDP is allocated to defence sector R&D, which is relatively low compared to global standards, he explained.He noted that the US promised an 80% engine technology transfer for the GE F414 engines that would power India's Tejas Mk-2 warplanes, but the delivery of this vital military installation has been delayed by more than 2.5 years.Sudhakar's remarks came amid a raging debate in India over the proposed procurement of the American Stryker Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) despite the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developing the WhAP 8x8 Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Platform.Some media reports indicate that DRDO's armoured vehicle boasts a more powerful engine than the Stryker and performs exceptionally well in mountainous terrain, whereas the American platform has shown disappointing results.The Stryker's acquisition, if made by India, would be made under the emergency procurement route since the Indian military is in need to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-designed infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) that comprises BMP-1 and BMP-2, Sudhakar believes.Three factors—Ukraine war, supply-chain disruptions, and the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in 2020—have forced India to modernise its fleet of military vehicles, the strategic affairs analyst elaborated.
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india, us, russia, the himalayas, galwan valley, make in india, self-reliant india, military equipment, military cooperation, lca tejas, china
US Reluctance to Transfer Critical Defence Technology Harming 'Make in India'
Unlike India's time-tested partner Russia, the US has been non-committal on sharing advanced military technology. Sputnik India examines how this is impacting 'Make in India' initiative.
India's acquisition of American military platforms is hurting the 'Make in India' initiative since the US is reluctant to transfer technology to India for local production, a defence pundit has said.
"In fact, anything that is imported from abroad is the antithesis to the concept of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' or 'Make in India', and the Americans appear to have non-aligned themselves with this vision as they have never shared critical military technology with India till now," retired Major General Sudhakar Jee told Sputnik India.
Hence, India should develop the capability to produce anything and everything required by the nation's security apparatus within the country, the Indian Army veteran said. But India's journey to become self-reliant in the defence sector only kicked off in 2014 with the launch of the 'Make in India' scheme, and becoming 'Atmanirbhar' in the military
domain isn't an easy task, he added.
The country must have deep pockets and be prepared for long gestation periods, from inception to co-designing and co-production, before the prototype is ready, trials are conducted, and deployment takes place prior to mass-scale induction, Jee emphasised.
However, as of now, India lacks that level of research and development expenditure (R&D). Notably, only 0.65% of the nation's GDP is allocated to defence sector R&D, which is relatively low compared to global standards, he explained.
Nonetheless, the US is not a country that can be trusted as far as the transfer of technology is concerned, and unless that happens, how will India's programs, such as 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India, ' move forward? asked Sudhakar.
He noted that the US promised an 80% engine technology transfer for the GE F414 engines that would power India's Tejas Mk-2 warplanes, but the delivery of this vital military installation has been delayed by more than 2.5 years.
"While the American authorities keep on saying that the first batch of these engines would be supplied to India by March 2025, I doubt it because they can again dilly-dally the deliveries. That's why there's a huge trust deficit as far as technology transfer from the US is concerned," he underscored.
Sudhakar's remarks came amid a raging debate in India over the proposed procurement of the American Stryker Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) despite the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developing the WhAP 8x8 Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Platform.
Some media reports indicate that DRDO's armoured vehicle boasts a more powerful engine than the Stryker and performs exceptionally well in mountainous terrain, whereas the American platform has shown disappointing results.
The Stryker's acquisition, if made by India, would be made under the emergency procurement route since the Indian military is in
need to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-designed
infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) that comprises
BMP-1 and BMP-2, Sudhakar believes.
Three factors—Ukraine war, supply-chain disruptions, and the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in 2020—have forced India to modernise its fleet of military vehicles, the strategic affairs analyst elaborated.
"As China can move its troops at a fast pace along the contested Himalayan border, India has no choice but to match the Chinese in this area. As a consequence, the Stryker is being discussed," Sudhakar concluded.
