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India is expected to buy 22 unarmed drones from the United States, giving a significant upgrade to its naval equipment.
The sale of the Sea Guardian remotely-piloted vehicles, with a price tag of about two to three billion US dollars, is also on top of the agenda during US Defense Secretary James Mattis’ recent visit to India. The deal, authorized by US President Donald Trump in June, was the first such transaction to a non-NATO nation. The sale, however, is subject to approval by the US Congress.
‘Major defense partner’
In December 2016, the US Congress passed an amendment called “Enhancing Defense and Security Cooperation with India,” which eventually resulted in India being designated a “major defense partner.” That relationship was further reaffirmed during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US last June.
India’s Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shakes hands with US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis before their meeting in New Delhi, India, September 26, 2017
The world’s most advanced maritime reconnaissance drone, the Sea Guardian Multi-Mission Maritime Patrol Aircraft can fly non-stop for 27 hours at an altitude of 50,000 feet. According to manufacturer and American defense contractor General Atomics, the drones can be remotely piloted or operate fully autonomous missions. Using its multi-mode maritime radar, the Sea Guardian “can effectively observe the movement of Chinese warships and submarines when they surface.”
According to experts, Trump’s approval of the sale is a clear indicator of Washington’s willingness to transfer some of its most sensitive military technology to New Delhi. In April this year, the Indian Air Force also expressed interest in acquiring the advanced Avenger armed drone, a high-speed multi-mission Remotely Piloted Aircraft which can carry out “time-sensitive strike missions over land or sea.” The Avengers deal is reported to be worth eight billion US dollars.
The defense ties of the two countries were again highlighted when US Defense Secretary James Mattis visited India on Tuesday.
“The United States views India as a valued and influential partner, with broad mutual interests extending well beyond South Asia,” the Pentagon said.
China’s presence in the Indian Ocean
China ramped up its military presence in the Indian Ocean over the last three years. Nuclear attack submarines along with fleet support ships and warships were deployed in the region to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia.
The Indian Navy, however, believes that Beijing has plans to strategically deploy its units around India. “Clearly, there are concerns about the militarization of the Indian Ocean, including the increased presence of China's People's Liberation Army Navy," explained Dhruva Jaishankar, foreign policy fellow at Brookings India, in a CNBC interview.
According to Long Xingchun, a professor from the Center of India Studies at China West Normal University, China is only concerned about the safety of navigation in the Indian Ocean and does not intend to pose any threat to India or any other country.
A Chinese naval formation conducts transverse replenishment of fuel and drinking water in western Indian Ocean waters on Aug. 25, 2017.
“China’s presence in the Indian Ocean is reasonable. It’s not a threat or a challenge to India or the United States. I think China, India and the US have some common interests in the Indian Ocean, especially when it comes to safety. China also needs to increase military presence in that area to protect its own interest against threats like pirates. China wants to safeguard freedom of navigation,” Long told CGTN Digital.
More than three quarters of China’s oil transits through the Indian Ocean and its choke points such as the Malacca Straits, prompting its search for friendly ports and islands to secure the shipping lanes backed by an expanding Chinese navy, Chinese commentators said in an earlier Reuters report.
The world’s second largest economy is not bothered with India’s plan to use drones as long as it “abides by international maritime laws.”
“China’s presence, military or otherwise, in the Indian Ocean is growing because it is their main trade ways to Europe, Middle East and other countries. Indian Ocean is the most important sailing route for China’s businesses in that region and beyond. We cannot change the perspectives of Indians. But the best thing is for them to communicate and exchange views with China on this issue,” added Long.
(CGTN)
