“Since 2008, over $9 billion in defense contracts have been signed between the United States and India, compared with less than $500 million for all the years prior.”
He also urged a continued commitment to the new Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), saying the U.S. and India “can do more to forge a defense industrial partnership – one that would transform our nations’ defense cooperation from simply buying and selling to co-production, co-development, and freer exchange of technology. And we have no better opportunity than the U.S.-India Defense Trade and Technology Initiative, or DTTI.”
Indian soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles, and U.S. Army paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team move out toward their objective after being dropped off by CH-47 Chinook helicopters for a field training exercise May 11, 2013, at Fort Bragg, N.C. The exercise is part of bilateral annual training between the Indian Army and U.S. Army Pacific, hosted this year by the XVIII Airborne Corps. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod
“DTTI is about much more than defense deals,” Hagel said. “It is designed to support the development of a strong and self-sufficient Indian defense industrial base – one that develops mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships with top American defense companies, and helps create jobs in both our nations. The United States has made no similar effort with any other nation; it is unique to our relationship with India.”
“To build a broad foundation for co-development, and because both our nations hone the leading edge of scientific and technological innovation, we are also working together to advance our joint Cooperative Science and Technology Priorities,” Hagel continued. “This includes areas ranging from big data to cognitive sciences to chemical and biological defense, and material sciences.”
“Our values are shared. Our interests are aligned. Our focus and energy are surging,” Hagel concluded.