The US tries to deepen its defence cooperation and strategic partnership with India through a significant representation at Aero India 2019
Rohan Ramesh
The United States sent a high-level delegation along with an impressive array of military platforms and personnel. This significant representation from the US industry is an example of the growing defence ties between the US and India.
The head of the US delegation to Aero India 2019, Ambassador Kenneth I. Juster, stated, “I am pleased to be here to support our largest-ever US participation in Aero India. The US and India are committed to strengthening defence cooperation, in line with India’s status as a major defence partner. Defence acquisitions are an important component in deepening our bilateral ties and contributing to a balanced trade relationship.”
The US government delegation included Ambassador Kenneth I. Juster, Deputy Undersecretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment Alan Shaffer, Director of the Defence Security Cooperation Agency Lt Gen. Charles Hooper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Dr Joseph Felter, Senior Defence Attaché to India Major General Robin Fontes Director, Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre Brigadier General Sean M. Farrell, Navy International Programs Office Executive Director, Dr Walter F. Jones and US Consul General in Chennai, Robert Burgess.
In addition to the department of commerce and department of state officials, more than 100 department of defence personnel were supporting the US delegation at Aero India 2019. A demonstration team for the C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 535th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan enthralled spectators.
F/A-18 Super Hornet from VFA-27 Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and a P-8 from VP-47 Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington were the display assets from the US at this air show. Also, in the run-up to Aero India 2019, Lockheed Martin held a briefing on February 16 in Bengaluru.
C-130J
Richard Johnston, Director, Business Development International, Air Mobility and Maritime Missions, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Limited briefed the media over the capabilities of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
Johnston pointed out that the C-130 Hercules was one of the oldest aircrafts still in production and was being constantly upgraded to meet the latest challenges. He said that over 70 countries have been using various models of the C-130J aircraft over the years. Over 2,500 examples have been built to date.
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