BECA — and importance of three foundational pacts of India-US military cooperation

Mr. Tribhuvan Darbari, MD & CEO – Texmaco Defence Systems Private Limited and Chief Executive, Texmaco Rail & Engineering Limited /Adventz Group & Managing Director, Russtech Development Private Limited, India congratulated our Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Shri S. Jaishankar (through his social media posts) on the historic signing of BECA on 27th October 2020. Mr. Tribhuvan Darbari said that BECA shall facilitate India’s access to precision data from US military satellites for better accuracy of stand-off weapons like cruise and ballistic missiles.
BECA is one of the four foundational pacts of India-US military cooperation. Mr. TS Darbari further said that after LEMOA and COMCASA, Indian and the USA have signed BECA, sealing a framework of mutual trust and long-term military and strategic cooperation. The immediate context is the common threat from an aggressive and expansionist China, but the potential for cooperation in the future is immense.

What is the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA)?

Mr. TS Darbari says that “BECA will help India get real-time access to American geospatial intelligence that will enhance the accuracy of automated systems and weapons like missiles and armed drones. The pact allows the sharing of information on maps and satellite images between the two governments. It will help India access topographical and aeronautical data, and advanced products that will aid in navigation and targeting.”

According to the article ‘BECA — and importance of three foundational pacts of India-US military cooperation‘ published in the ‘Indian Express‘, “This could be key to Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation between India and the US. Just as your radio cab (or the GPS in your smartphone) helps you zero in on the path to your destination and helps you reach it quickly and efficiently, BECA will provide Indian military systems with a high-quality GPS to navigate missiles with real-time intelligence to precisely target the adversary.”

According to the article ‘India, US Sign Major Defence Pact BECA, Days Before Presidential Polls‘ published on the website of NDTV, Hon’ble Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the signing of BECA with the US is a “significant” move. Mr. Rajnath Singh also said, “We held a comprehensive discussion on a range of key issues: Inking of BECA with the US a significant move. Our military to military cooperation with the US moving forward very well. We identified projects for the joint development of defense equipment. We reaffirmed our commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Mr. S Jaishankar mentioned that the situation in the Indo-Pacific was also discussed during the talks.

Mr. TS Darbari says that BECA clears the path for India acquiring armed drones in the first instance and at a later date, fighter aircraft.

Sources:

NDTV: India, US Sign Major Defence Pact BECA

Hindustan Times: BECA done, fighters and armed drones next as India turns US positive

Indian Express : BECA — and importance of three foundational pacts of India-US military cooperation‘