The future of warfare will be defined by artificial intelligence (AI) driven autonomy, next-generation defense systems, and secure supply chains for critical minerals and energy. In a signal of their increasingly close and strategic partnership, India and the United States are positioning themselves at the forefront of this transformation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States was not just another routine diplomatic engagement but a deliberate acceleration of our defense partnership and also an acknowledgement of the importance of this new frontier. As Washington and New Delhi move beyond traditional defense cooperation, the visit cemented their mutual commitment to shaping the next era of global security.
The Evolution of Our Defense and Security Ties
Defense has long been the most visible pillar of India-U.S. relations and an area where the two sides have achieved the most rapid progress. Despite India’s historic reliance on Russia for security, bilateral defense trade has come a long way from being near zero just over a decade ago to an impressive multi-billion-dollar pipeline. Today, India is trying to reduce its dependence on Russia and operates some of the most advanced U.S. military platforms, including the C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft, P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, Chinook and MH-60R and Apache helicopters, and the MQ-9B drones. The two countries are planning to collaborate on co-production and co-development of some of the most complex technologies, like jet engines. The visit took this positive trajectory forward and officially announced two more co-production projects, Javelin anti-tank missile and Stryker armored vehicles.
Further, in a significant policy shift, the United States is reviewing its policy to offer F35 and undersea systems to India, which could accelerate the shift away from Russia. One of the most advanced and coveted fifth-generation aircraft, the F35 is only offered to some of the closest U.S. allies like Israel, Italy, Japan, UK, Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and South Korea. A whole host of nations are currently awaiting deliveries. While it is uncertain how seriously India is considering the proposal, and how much indigenous content an Indian F35 version would, it is still a strong signal of intent to continue to deepen interoperability and reach new heights.
While Modi was in Washington, Ultra Maritime, a U.S. company, also finalized an agreement with Indian state-owned enterprise Bharat Dynamics Limited to jointly produce sonobuoys. Sonobuoys are expendable sonar devices that are primarily used for anti-submarine warfare. India has historically bought sonobuoys from the United States but the two countries will now work together to produce these for India.
A New Military AI Push
President Trump and Prime Minister Modi launched several new technology initiatives, including Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology for the 21st Century (COMPACT) and Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST). While many contend that these initiatives represent a repackaging of the Biden-era Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), there are nonetheless real new opportunities to explore military AI applications like never before and advance future warfare solutions through an industry-led approach.
The newly-announced U.S.-India roadmap on AI infrastructure is not just about economic or commercial applications—it will have direct defense implications. AI is already transforming military operations, from autonomous drones and battlefield analytics to cybersecurity, persistent surveillance, and real-time intelligence processing. With China aggressively advancing in AI and quantum computing, creating a regulatory framework consistent with democratic principles is also a strategic necessity.
The newly announced Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) initiative is a step in the right direction, ensuring that India and the United States co-develop AI-powered surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance systems for the Indo-Pacific theater. Companies like Anduril and Mahindra will create AI-driven maritime systems capable of enhancing undersea warfare and drone-swarming capabilities.
The Critical Role of Minerals
Fielding next-generation AI capabilities will require not just software innovation but the availability of critical minerals that power advanced computing systems. The launch of a new India-U.S. Strategic Mineral Recovery Initiative is directly tied to this. Supplies of rare earth elements like lithium and cobalt—essential for semiconductors, batteries, and AI hardware—are currently monopolized by China, which dominates over 80% of the global rare earth supply chain. If India and the United States succeed in diversifying these supply chains, it will not only secure commercial electronics production but also safeguard the future of military AI systems.
Nuclear Energy and AI’s Computational Power Needs
Beyond minerals, AI-driven defense systems require massive computational power, and nuclear energy is emerging as a key enabler. AI models, particularly those used in military simulations, cybersecurity, and real-time battlefield analysis, require high-performance computing infrastructure that consumes enormous amounts of energy.
If their ambitions are realized, the India-U.S. partnership on civil nuclear cooperation, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation nuclear power technologies, could play a critical role in sustaining AI-driven military applications. A reliable, secure energy base is necessary for the future of hypersonic weapons, autonomous combat vehicles, and AI-directed command and control systems. If India successfully scales its nuclear energy program with U.S. collaboration, it will enable long-term, uninterrupted AI advancements in the defense sector.
Meanwhile, U.S. natural gas exports to India are booming and there are opportunities to substantially increase these volumes in the years ahead. In 2024, Indian imports of U.S. gas soared nearly 70% over imports in 2023, reaching record highs. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently suggested India intends to surge oil and gas imports from the U.S. to $25 billion from $15 billion in 2023.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington was replete with new initiatives and ambitious announcements. But the underlying push to collaborate more deeply on AI and energy may prove the most consequential of all, shaping the future of both countries’ defense strategies and the future of warfare.
