WEBDESK: The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Indo-Pacific maritime domain awareness and related equipment to India in a US-India defense deal worth $131 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
This new agreement aims to strengthen India’s maritime surveillance capabilities by providing advanced software and specialised training.
The principal contractor for the sale will be HawkEye 360, the Pentagon said in a statement.
According to U.S. officials, the US-India defense deal will not upset the military balance in South Asia. Instead, it is expected to contribute to regional peace and stability. The deal includes cutting-edge maritime vision software, which will help India monitor its surrounding waters more effectively.
“The Indo-Pacific represents one of the most highly trafficked regions of the world, an epicenter of global trade with waters rich in resources. The sheer size of these waters, coupled with endless vessel activity, demands vigilant maritime observation,” Chief Growth Officer for HawkEye 360, Alex Fox, said in 2023.
Defense experts believe that the US-India defense deal will improve India’s ability to keep watch over the Indian Ocean and nearby regions. This could enhance India’s overall defense readiness and response time in case of any potential threats.
Despite concerns about growing military ties between the two nations, U.S. authorities have reassured that the US-India defense deal is designed to support stability rather than provoke tension.
With tensions rising between Pakistan and India in light of the Pahalgam false flag operation, it remains to be seen how this US-India defense deal will impact the region.
Recently, India violated ceasefire along LoC on April 29-30 night adding more fuel to Pak-India tensions. With the indus waters treaty and simla agreement in abeyance, the threat of an all-out war between the two countries is at an all-time high.
