As India embarks on a major defense modernization drive, gaining access to modern technologies at the disposal of its defense partners, the US, as one of them, has been a constant matter of discussion with India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the recent signing of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), it was expected that India would be getting access to the kind of technology it actually needs from the US.
Currently, the US is only sharing technology which is not cutting edge or modern in any sense, the source revealed. This was evident in the recently-signed multi-billion dollar deal according to which India is to procure C-130J Super Hercules Special Forces and P-8I maritime aircraft from the US. In the case of P8I maritime aircraft, the US has refused to equip the aircraft with modern communication links, due to which its communication with naval forces stands exposed to interception. As a result, its attack capability is undermined. In the same way, the US has also failed to install a modern communication system on the C-130J.
Amit Cowshish, former financial advisor (acquisition) to India's Ministry of Defense, says “Apart from the pre-occupation with the impending presidential elections, the immediate cause for US reluctance to share technology, as in the case of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles, seems to be on account of India's dithering on the signing of the other two foundational agreements and taking other steps to demonstrate a deeper commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership.”
Nevertheless, India has insisted that there will be no immediate consideration of the signing of the two other foundational agreements with the US – the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Information and Services Cooperation (BECA).
