The United States and India will sign an agreement called Industrial Security Annex that seeks guarantees for the protection of classified information and will allow the transfer of defense technology. The pact will also enable the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative that was signed in 2012 to take off.
Lockheed Martin and Boeing are already working on defense products with Indian partners – mostly to meet offset obligations – and the projects are primarily of the ‘build to print’ kind that do not involve transfer of key technology.
Once operational, U.S. companies will be able to transfer technology to India through the government route. For critical technology, companies will submit documentation to the U.S. government that will share it with their Indian counterparts through diplomatic channels. The Indian Government will send this technology piece to the Indian industry after ensuring that adequate safeguard mechanisms are in place for the protection of the technology.
The two countries have taken a number of incremental steps to shore up the strategic partnership that extends from joint exercises, arms sale, to joint development.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
