U.S. and India Sign Security of Supply Arrangement to Strengthen Defense Cooperation

The United States and India have signed a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) on August 22, marking a significant milestone in their defense relationship. This non-binding agreement aims to enhance defense cooperation between the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and India’s Ministry of Defence (IN MoD).

The agreement was signed by Dr. Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, and Mr. Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions) of the IN MoD. The SOSA is designed to ensure that both countries provide each other with priority access to essential goods and services necessary for national defense. It allows for the acquisition of critical industrial resources from one another and helps manage unexpected supply chain disruptions that could threaten national security.

“This Security of Supply Arrangement represents a pivotal moment in the U.S.-India Major Defense Partner relationship and will be a key factor in strengthening the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI),” said Dr. Ramdass. He underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration between the defense industries of the two countries.

Dr. Ramdass also highlighted that the upcoming DTTI meeting this fall, which will be hosted by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), will present an opportunity to explore joint development, production, and sustainment initiatives. This meeting is seen as a crucial step in advancing defense technology and trade cooperation between the U.S. and India.

Under the terms of the SOSA, both the U.S. and India commit to honoring each other’s priority delivery requests for critical defense resources. The U.S. will provide assurances to India under its Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS). Decisions on these assurances will be made by the DoD, with rating authorization granted by the Department of Commerce (DOC). On the other hand, India will implement a government-industry Code of Conduct with its defense industrial base. This will encourage Indian firms to prioritize support for U.S. defense needs on a voluntary basis.

As global supply chains become more complex, agreements like the SOSA are increasingly vital for improving interoperability with U.S. defense trade partners. The SOSA framework establishes working groups, communication channels, and streamlined DoD processes to address potential supply chain challenges proactively. These challenges could arise during peacetime, emergencies, or armed conflicts. Moreover, SOSAs are instrumental in formulating investment strategies that ensure redundancy and security in defense supply chains.

The inclusion of India in the SOSA network brings the total number of U.S. partners to 18. Other countries with similar agreements include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

By joining the SOSA, India is now part of a select group of nations that benefit from enhanced defense cooperation with the United States. This agreement not only strengthens the defense relationship between the U.S. and India but also promotes greater integration of their defense industries.

In conclusion, the formalization of the SOSA between the United States and India marks a significant step forward in their defense partnership. It underscores both nations’ commitment to enhancing their defense cooperation and ensuring the security of their supply chains. As Dr. Ramdass emphasized, this agreement will play a crucial role in advancing the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, and it sets the stage for further collaboration in defense technology and trade in the future.