India must monitor U.S. defense ties.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a depleting squadron strength due to poor production by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
• The IAF chief expressed concern at the Aero India-2025 show in Bengaluru, highlighting the need for a reinvigorated environment to supply Tejas MK1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) jets.

SIPRI Report and U.S. Policy
• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report for 2020-24 shows India is the second highest arms importer globally.
• Despite a 9.3% reduction in imports from 2015-19, expensive weapon systems like aircraft, tanks, radars, and specialized armament will continue to be imported for many more years.
• The IAF has a strong focus on indigenous fighter aircraft, such as LCA Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), all planned with American engines.
• The IAF’s inventory of 270 Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, S-400 missile systems, and similar big-ticket items for the Indian Army and Navy stand out against a positive affirmation.

The Importance of ‘Partnership’
• The key word ‘partnership’ is ‘partnership’, but the question arises whether two nations with differing cultural, financial, and world outlooks can be true partners.
• The indispensability factor can be tested by assessing if both parties are equal, interchangeable, and can blend seamlessly.
• The asymmetry in capabilities between India and the U.S. raises questions about the reliability of the U.S.-Pakistan ‘partnership’ or the recent unravelling of the U.S.’s trans-Atlantic partnership with Europe.

Looking Forward
• The U.S.’s approach to India’s strategic armament needs depends on whether it wants a ‘true partnership’ and if it makes India politically indispensable to itself.
• India must ensure its decisions ‘insure’ its interests against any U.S. policy reversal in the geopolitical environment.