US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have unveiled the “US-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century,” marking a transformative step in defence and high-tech collaboration. This initiative underscores a shared commitment to bolstering military partnerships, advancing commerce, and accelerating technological innovation.

The COMPACT framework sets an ambitious, results-driven agenda to enhance trust and mutual benefits. Key highlights include increased US military sales to India, including plans to pave the way for F-35 stealth fighters, and the signing of a new ten-year defence cooperation framework. Modi emphasized the joint development, production, and transfer of advanced technologies, ensuring strategic interoperability.

The partnership also announced the creation of the “Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA)” to drive innovation in autonomous defence technologies across the Indo-Pacific. This initiative reflects the growing importance of autonomous systems in future warfare.

Additionally, the defence cooperation framework aims to streamline trade, technology exchange, and maintenance processes for US-provided systems like the C-130J Hercules, Apache helicopters, and P-8I Poseidon aircraft. Plans include co-production of Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles to meet India's defence needs rapidly.

The Reciprocal Defence Procurement agreement, to be negotiated this year, will align procurement systems, enabling the supply of defence goods and services between the two nations. Both sides also committed to revisiting arms transfer regulations to expand industrial cooperation and technology transfer.

This strengthened partnership recognizes India as a Major Defence Partner and aligns with the Quad's strategic vision, signaling a new era of cooperation in space, air, maritime, and missile defence technologies.