New Delhi (NVI): The 9th Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Group Meeting between India and US, which was held here recently, sought to develop a roadmap for jointly developing and encouraging next-generation technologies.
During the meeting, a Statement of Intent (SOI) was signed that declared their intent “to strengthen our dialogue on defense technology cooperation by pursuing detailed planning and making measurable progress” on several specific DTTI projects including Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) and Air-Launched Small UAS, a statement said.
Moreover, the DTTI was informed about the ongoing activities and collaborative opportunities including several near-term projects targeted for completion within nine to twelve months and other projects in earlier stages of discussion.
The 9th Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Group Meeting was held in here on October 24 and was co-chaired by Secretary, Defence Production Subhash Chandra and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, from the US Department of Defense Ellen M Lord.
According to a statement, a number of Joint Working Groups focused on land, naval, air, and aircraft carrier technologies have been established under DTTI to promote mutually agreed projects within their domains.
The co-chairs were satisfied with the significant progress made on developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for identification and development of cooperative projects under DTTI.
The SOP will serve as the framework for DTTI and allow both sides to reach and document a mutual understanding on how to define and achieve success. The upcoming 2+2, potentially this December in Washington DC, is the near-term opportunity to finalize the SOP, the statement said.
DTTI Group Meetings are held twice a year, alternating between India and the United States, with the aim to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defense trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defense equipment.F
Few days prior to the meeting, the inaugural session of DTTI Industry Collaboration Council (DICF) was convened here by Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Production) Sanjay Jaju and Principal Director, Industrial Policy Scott Baum.
This forum will be a feature of all future DTTI Group Meetings and will offer an opportunity for Indian and US industry to be directly involved in DTTI. A document providing a framework for this industry interaction with DTTI will be signed during the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue tentatively scheduled for later this year.
