India, US agree on 2 new 'pathfinder' projects

India and the US today identified two new "pathfinder" projects under the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) for the joint production of a helmet-mounted digital display and a biological tactical detection system.

The Americans also formally pitched two proposals for the manufacture of fighter jets under the 'Make in India' initiative.

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Visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar also welcomed the finalisation of four government-to-government project agreements in the area of science and technology cooperation -- Atmospheric Sciences for High Energy Lasers, Cognitive Tools for Target Detection, Small Intelligent Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Blast and Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury.

Following the delegation-level talks here, the two sides also agreed to commence navy-to-navy discussions on submarine safety and anti-submarine warfare.

They also agreed to launch a bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue, to be co-chaired by officials at the joint secretary /assistant secretary-level of the Indian ministries of defence and external affairs and the US departments of defence and state.

India and the US had initially agreed on four "pathfinder projects" under DTTI -- next generation Raven Minis UAVs, roll on and roll off kits for C-130, mobile electric hybrid power source and Uniform Integrated Protection Ensemble Increment-2.

Under the new initiative, the key project will be helmet- mounted digital display for fighter aircraft and helicopters.

The Americans have also pushed for joint production of fighter aircraft by Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

However, it was not clear if the the pre-bid guarantee sought by India, required for the transfer of technology, has been given or not.

The two countries are also exploring aircraft carrier technology besides the design and development of jet engine technology.

Noting that India wants to move to a flat-deck design for its aircraft carriers, Carter said the US is "more than willing" to share its catapult technology for launching fighter jets off carriers.

According to American defence officials, if India begins using the catapult technology, then there could be opportunities for the country to buy US-made FA-18 fighter jets or other aircraft that use the launching system.