Defence deals worth $10 billion will be discussed by India and the US during the visit of President Donald Trump. 8-10 big-ticket defence deals are in the final stages of negotiations. Both sides are likely to clear a 2.6 billion dollar deal for 24MH60 Romeo Helicopters for the Navy. Another agreement for the sale of 6 AH64E Apache attack helicopters to India worth 795 million is also likely to be cleared.

US and India have been negotiating agreements for a NASAMS air defence system and P8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft. Both deals are worth 3.6 billion and maybe cleared in the next few weeks. US would make a fresh pitch to sell F21 fighters and guardian drones to India.

Speaking on the Indo US Defence relationship former US Ambassador to India Tim Roemer said, "We have offered to India the guardian armed drones which we have not offered to any country outside NATO and this is because of our strong defence partnership".

The US today is India's biggest defence technology partner. The two sides have signed several key agreements to facilitate defence trade including the LEMOA, COMCASA, STA1 and Industrial Security Annex.

"Asian Military spending is going to grow. It will be more than the combined defense spending of Europe and the US. We would like India to be secure in such an environment", said former US Ambassador to India, Tim Roemer.

US is India's biggest training partner. The two sides hold more military exercises with each other than they do with any other country. The armies, navies and air force' of the two countries hold annual exercises like Yudh Abhias, COPE-India and Malabar. Recently the two countries held the Tiger Triumph, the first tri-service military exercise between the two countries.

First Published:Feb 20, 2020 10:53 PM IST