U.S. Looks to Build on Military Exports to India

The U.S.-India Business Council coordinated a large U.S. industry delegation to this week’s Aero India show led by Lt.Gen. Jeff Kohler (Retd.), vice president of Boeing Military Aircraft and Vice Admiral (Retd.) Kevin Cosgriff, senior vice president for international business with Textron Systems.

Defense sales to India from the U.S. have risen from an annual value of just $200 million in 2001 to over $14 billion today. “India’s defense modernization requirements and capacity building measures are vast, and reflect a growing need to secure critical infrastructure assets and defend sizeable borders, while securing their economic growth. The U.S industry leads the way in offering the most advanced technology with long-term support for the multitude systems offered,” said Kohler.

“We are eager to initiate cooperative programs with India’s defense industry to take advantage of Indian industry’s engineering talent, growing production capability and regional expertise,” Cosgriff commented.

U.S. equipment on display includes a U.S. variant of the C-17 heavy lifter, as well as a C-130J, a F-16, a KC-135, armored security and light combat vehicles, tactical communications equipment, integrated weapons systems, thermal imaging technologies and network munitions systems.


Source: By Neelam Mathews, AIN online News – 8 February 2013

Photo: The U.S. Air Force C-17 heavy lifter was prominent among a large U.S. contingent of aircraft at this week's Aero India show. (Photo by Rakesh Mangaraj, Indian MoD)


(8.02.2013)