US proposes to India Stryker combat vehicles and to update its M777 howitzers.

According to an article in the Hindustan Times by Shishir Gupta, the Indo-US defense cooperation is poised to make significant advancements following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in Washington. The Pentagon has proposed offering New Delhi the Stryker family of 8x8 armored fighting vehicles, upgrades for its M777A2 towed howitzers, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and the transfer of technology for the manufacturing of GE-F414 aircraft engines in India.
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The US is proposing the family of Stryker combat vehicles for the Indian army (Picture source: US DoD)

Officials from both New Delhi and Washington have stated that the final decision regarding the Stryker vehicles and M777A howitzer upgrades depends on the conditions put forth by the United States. These defense equipment deals will play a crucial role in the outcomes of the visit, along with the signing of a $2.7 billion chip plant deal with Micron in India and an agreement on quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

The United States has also offered to upgrade India's 155 mm M777 howitzers with precision-guided long-range ammunition to address the artillery challenges faced on India's northern borders. India currently possesses 145 M777 howitzers, 120 of which were manufactured by Mahindra Defence Systems in collaboration with BAE Systems. The relatively lightweight of the M777 enables it to be transported by helicopter to mountainous regions in case of emergencies in Jammu and Kashmir or Arunachal Pradesh.

While India and the US have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cybersecurity cooperation, this visit will further strengthen the ties between the two nations. The joint statement issued at the end of Prime Minister Modi's visit is expected to reflect the deepening mutual convergence. The major highlight of the visit is anticipated to be the deal for F-414 aircraft engines, which will power domestically manufactured fighters in the coming decade. Additionally, the acquisition of "hunter-killer" Reaper drones will enable India to address the challenges posed by China, which possesses armed drones and has also supplied them to Pakistan.

India already has 145 M777 howitzers, 120 of which were made by Mahindra Defence Systems in business arrangement with BAE systems.

Defense News June 2023