US-India 10-Year Defence Framework: A New Era of Tech Sharing and Regional Deterrence
Signed on October 31, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, this landmark pact supercharges joint R&D, info-sharing, and co-production—pushing India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals into overdrive.
Kuala Lumpur, October 31, 2025—Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed the Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership (2025–2035) on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). This 10-year roadmap is not just another MoU—it’s a strategic accelerator for technology sharing, joint military exercises, and co-production of cutting-edge systems.
Building on the momentum of Atmanirbhar Bharat reforms and the recent Tejas Mk1A maiden flight, the framework marks a pivotal shift from buyer-seller dynamics to true partnership.
Key Pillars of the 2025–2035 Framework
The document outlines five core areas of collaboration:
- Enhanced Intelligence Sharing: Real-time fusion of satellite imagery, SIGINT, and cyber threat data via secure quantum-encrypted channels.
- Joint Technology Development: Focus on AI-driven autonomous sensors, hypersonic countermeasures, and directed-energy systems.
- Co-Production of Munitions: Licensed manufacturing of next-gen precision-guided munitions (PGMs) in India, reducing dependency on foreign stockpiles.
- Expanded Joint Exercises: Annual ‘Yudh Abhyas’ to include tri-service cyber-warfare and space-domain awareness drills.
- iDEX & Startup Integration: US venture funds to co-invest in Indian defense startups under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme.
According to a senior DRDO official, “This framework will cut development cycles by 30% for critical technologies like swarm drone coordination and quantum-secure comms.”
Indo-Pacific Deterrence in Focus
The timing is deliberate. With China’s PLA Navy expanding its blue-water presence and militarizing reefs in the South China Sea, the US-India axis aims to create a credible counterweight. The framework explicitly mentions “freedom of navigation” and “secure sea lines of communication” (SLOCs)—code for the Malacca Strait and Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
India’s BrahMos-armed Sukhoi-30MKI squadrons and the upcoming Agni-VI MIRV ICBM will now train alongside US B-1B Lancers and P-8I Poseidons in joint strike packages.
Tech Transfers: From Lab to Battlefield
Three flagship projects are already greenlit:
- AI-Driven Sensor Fusion: Integrating US AN/APG-81 AESA radar tech with India’s Uttam radar for the AMCA program.
- Quantum-Secure Comms: DARPA’s quantum key distribution (QKD) tech to be adapted for India’s Secure Army Mobile Communication (SAMC) network.
- Swarm Drone Coordination: Co-development of 100+ micro-drones capable of autonomous target handoff—ideal for high-altitude ops in Ladakh.
These initiatives dovetail with the Light Helicopter RfI, where US firms like Bell and Sikorsky are pitching hybrid rotorcraft with Indian AI avionics.
Private Sector Surge & Job Creation
The framework mandates 70% local value addition in co-produced systems. This opens doors for Indian MSMEs and giants like Tata Advanced Systems and L&T Defence. A projected 50,000 high-skill jobs will be created by 2030 in areas like:
- AI algorithm development (Bengaluru, Hyderabad)
- Quantum hardware fabrication (Pune)
- Advanced composites for hypersonic vehicles (Coimbatore)
This aligns with the No-NOC ammo reforms that have already unlocked ₹10,000 crore in private investments.
Roadmap to 2026: What’s Next?
The first joint working group meets in New Delhi in January 2026 to finalize:
- Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) for 12 critical systems
- Expansion of ‘Exercise Tiger Triumph’ to include amphibious drone ops
- Launch of ‘Indo-US Defence Accelerator’ under iDEX with $100M seed funding
As Rajnath Singh stated, “This is not just about weapons—it’s about shared values, shared threats, and shared prosperity.”
Conclusion
The US-India 10-Year Defence Framework is more than diplomacy—it’s a force multiplier for India’s indigenous ecosystem. From quantum comms to swarm drones, the technologies flowing through this pact will shape the IAF, Army, and Navy for decades. As India marches toward its $30,000 crore export target by 2026, this partnership ensures New Delhi isn’t just a buyer—but a global innovator.
Stay tuned: We’ll track every milestone—from the first quantum-secured transmission to the inaugural swarm drone exercise in the Andamans.
