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2+2 Dialogue: US, India sign new defence pact COMCASA - what it really means
Understanding the deal.
DNA Web Team | Sep 06, 2018, 06:18 PM IST
1.10 years a-waiting
The agreement was ending for almost 10 years, and one of the major reasons India was apprehensive was the fact that New Delhi thought it would compromise its operational independence. It could also jeopardise India’s military ties with Russia.
The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) that was signed on Thursday had been stalled for years because of India's concerns that it would open up its communications network to the U.S. military.
Source: AFP
2.What is COMCASA?
One of the three foundational defence pacts that needs to be signed by a country in order to obtain high-tech military hardware from the US. Before COMCASA, India had signed only one of these agreements – Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) – in 2016. New Delhi and Washington will also have to sign the third - Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA).
Source: AFP
3.India can obtain critical defence tech from US
The COMCASA will facilitate India to obtain critical defence technologies from the US, and access critical communication network to ensure interoperability among the US and the Indian armed forces.
Source: AFP
4.Allow installation of high-security US com equipment
It will also allow the installation of high-security US communication equipment on defence platforms being sourced from the US.
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5.Transfer of encrypted comm equipment from US to India
“Signing of Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) will enable India to access advanced technologies from USA,” Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while addressing the media.
“We are also putting in place an enabling framework for closer cooperation between our defence forces. The signing of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 and the Helicopter Operations from Ships Other Than Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC) earlier this year were important steps in this direction. The signing of COMCASA today will enable India to access advanced technologies from the US and enhance India's defence preparedness.”
6.Special Relationship
A senior U.S. defence official said the United States had only signed similar pacts with fewer than 30 other countries.
"It not only allows us to be more interoperable with India, but it allows India to be more interoperable across its own systems...most significantly, it opens up a range of defense technologies to India," Joseph Felter, deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia.
Felter said that by signing the agreement some Indian weapon systems would see an immediate increase in capabilities, including the C-130 and C-17 aircraft.
The United States has emerged as India's second largest arms supplier, closing $15 billion worth of deals in the past decade.
Source: Reuters
