US likely to share domestic military technology with India to produce military jets

New Delhi, June 1 (KNN) The United States (US) is set to give General Electric Co its approval to produce jet engines powering Indian military aircraft in that country, reported Mint.

The Biden administration is expected to sign off a deal that would give permission to General Electric Co to make jet engines for New Delhi’s military.

According to Mint’s sources, a deal finalizing the joint production of the engines is expected to be inked and announced by the time President Joe Biden hosts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an official state visit on June 22.

US is keen to strengthen its ties with India, the world's largest democracy and sees deeper military-to-military and technology ties with the South Asian country as a key counterweight to China's dominance in the region.

While Russia is India’s main arms supplier accounting for nearly half its military purchases.

India bought fighter jets, tanks, nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier over the decades.

India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) had previously said it planned to use the GE-manufactured 414 engine on a second generation of light-combat aircraft and that it was in talks over domestic production of those engines.

The deal is not finalized and also requires notification to the U.S. Congress, according to two of the people briefed on the arrangement, reported Mint.

Washington maintains strict controls over what domestic military technology can be shared or sold to other countries.  (KNN Bureau)