US’ Jet-Engine Tech Transfer Policy With India Updated

US has updated its policy on gas turbine engine technology transfer to India making it feasible to share the technology with Indian companies.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter along with Indian counterpart, Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said in a joint statement at the Pentagon Thursday.

he joint statement issued after the meeting said “the Department of Defence of US has updated its policy on gas turbine engine technology transfer to India”.

"As a result of this policy update, the Secretary is confident that the United States will be able to expand cooperation in production and design of jet-engine components," the joint statement said.

It said the two sides looked forward to US companies working with their Indian counterparts "to submit transfer requests that will benefit from this updated policy."

Gas turbine engines are largely used in big warships. The technology transfer will help Indian 47 naval ships that are under construction each requiring two engines.

Both Carter and Parriakr expressed satisfaction with the work carried out by Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) because of concerns about intellectual property protection on the part of US companies.

Mr Parrikar told a joint news conference on Thursday that he had told Mr Carter of India's desire for further collaboration in higher-end technologies under DTTI.

He said "many" more DTTI initiatives could be expected that would involve technology transfers and US firms setting up production facilities in India.

"This enhanced cooperation will definitely result in a great deal of things coming out in the next six months," he said without elaborating.