The Pentagon has agreed to help India research chemical and biological warfare protection suits and mobile power generators as part of efforts to bolster defense ties between the two countries, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
David Lynch writes the U.S. and Indian defense agencies plan to invest a combined $2 million in the research projects and could pursue future production of any resulting technology product.
“These projects are intended to blaze a trail for things to come,†Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters during his visit to New Delhi.
India also wants to collaborate with the U.S. to build aircraft carrier platforms and jet engines, according to Bloomberg.
Cheryl Pellerin wrote in a DoD News article that Carter also flew to Vietnam to discuss potential collaborative defense programs with his Vietnamese counterpart.
He told reporters at a news conference held Monday in Hanoi that both countries “are now committed for the first time to operate together, step up our defense trade and work toward co-production.”
Carter noted the U.S. offered $18 million in funds for the Vietnamese military to procure Metal Shark patrol boats, according to DoD News.
The Pentagon also agreed to help Vietnam establish a training center for peacekeeping operations.
