INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Hornets from the US have currently gotten here in Bengaluru for Aero India 2023, top United States officials on Sunday hinted at a possible
launching of the F-35 fighter, pegged as the worlds most advanced fighter.A United States delegation, led by US Embassy Chargé dAffaires
ambassador Elizabeth Jones addressed the media ahead of Aero India, however officials didnt provide a confirmation about the F-35 debut.Rear
Admiral Michael L Baker, senior defence authorities and defence attaché to India stated: Two F/A -18 Super Hornet aircraft-- the most
battle-tested provider strike fighter-- and 2 F-16 Vipers are currently at Yelahanka
With regard to F-35, if it were to come to this airshow, it would be for demonstrating the strength and nearness of India-US collaboration
and not since theres a possibility of acquisition
This would be to bring the most advanced fighter on the planet to India's premier airshow and support our partner in a strategic method
Air-launched UAVAsked if the US was providing the F-35 to India, Baker stated conversations on the India side were still very nascent and it
would be early to talk about information
On whether US was open to offering F-35s to India, he explained: There has actually been no ask or high-level conversation
From what I can inform, India is focussed on developing its own future fighters ..
Speaking particularly about the joint development of the air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (ALUAV)under the joint working group air
system part of the defence innovation and trade effort(DTTI )in between the 2 countries, authorities said there was some development with
the ALUAV, the project arrangement for which was signed last year.Major General Julian C Cheater, assistant deputy under secretary of the
Air Force, International Affairs, said: We are anticipating we would carry out flight testing as early as the fall of 2023-that will take
place at a variety in northern India in addition to one in the United States
We will develop sensing units on the plan and expect that particular UAV would be most likely to be introduced from the C130-J aircraft
Baker also said the US was aiming to use co-production of some more advanced manufacturing capabilities that might not exist in India
yet.Cheater stated: India is presently providing vital aid and supplies as part of Operation Dost-- relief efforts in Türkey and Syria--
to do which it used 5 C17s and C-130Js
India has the biggest C17 fleet beyond the United States
He included that theres also increasing emphasis on beginning space co-operation, especially in the locations of space situational
awareness.Indo-Russia relationshipAsked if Russia being India's strong ally agitates the US, Jones said: Thats a separate concern in terms
of the unjust war that Russia has undertaken versus Ukraine
That does not indicate conversations here are focussed on that
They are concentrated on the collaboration we have with India and would like to build to support really essential global goals of free
location, going after issues that impact our people, that include commerce, environment modification, trade, health pandemic and concerns
that we find out about everyday press reports that effect peoples daily lives.Free and open Indo-PacificWhile discussing a totally free and
open Indo-Pacific, principal deputy assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security affairs, Jedidiah P Royal, dodged a concern on
who was the assailant by not naming China
Were not here at Aero India to dwell on that
Were here to discuss chances in the US-India defence collaboration
Opportunities are abundant and were going to dig into that
I do not wish to enter a conversation on the specific aspects of the hazard environment as it exists right now, he stated.
