US and India expand defense interoperability in the Indo‑Pacific

Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), the air component of U.S. Indo‑Pacific Command, is enhancing readiness and logistics across the region through deeper cooperation with India. General Kevin Schneider noted that "the growth in Indian and U.S. bilateral defense trade has corresponded with growing interoperability" and that the partnership’s importance is rising as security challenges become more complex.

The United States and India are jointly developing capabilities such as agile combat employment, pre‑positioned supplies, and dispersed operating bases. Large‑scale exercises like REFORPAC, involving over 400 aircraft and 12,000 personnel, and the bilateral Tiger Triumph drills focus on logistics, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and integration of cyber and space operations. These activities aim to achieve seamless, high‑end interoperability for rapid response in contested Indo‑Pacific environments.

The cooperation is framed within the broader U.S.–India Major Defense Partnership, which seeks increased information sharing, regional security coordination, and joint development in emerging domains.