The US-India Business Council (USIBC) launched an historic four-day ‘Executive Defence Mission’ to the ongoing Aero India 2009.
The Mission is led by Dr Vicki Panhuise, Honeywell; General (Ret) Chuck Wald, L-3 Communications; and General (Ret) Bruce Scott, ITT Defence International. Lt Gen (Ret) Jeffrey Kohler, The Boeing Company, and a senior advisor to the USIBC Board of Directors, is a special military advisor to the delegation.
US defence companies under the USIBC banner have participated in nine consecutive Executive Missions to India advocating for robust defence cooperation between the United States and India, including transfer of high-end defence technology.
The mission leaders expressed optimism on this ‘jumbo’ mission, saying military-to-military contacts and joint exercises have steadily increased, paving the way for increased defence trade.
Top guns
America’s top defence companies, including Honeywell, L-3 Communications, ITT,
General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Bell Helicopter (Textron), Raytheon, Sikorsky, Goodrich, Rockwell Collins, Stonebridge International, The Cohen Group, EP Team, The Fremont Group, among others, are participating in Aero India 2009.
The US will also be flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet and C-17 Globemaster-III strategic air lift aircraft by Boeing and the F-16 and C-130J by Lockheed Martin.
“The impressive turn-out of US companies on this Executive Mission speaks volumes as to our member-companies’ commitment to partner with India. US defence firms have the most advanced technology and products to help make India more secure”, said Ron Somers, president of USIBC.
US companies are global leaders in a wide range of defence products from fighter and strategic airlift aircraft to advanced radars, missiles and sensors to specialized counter-terrorism equipment.
‘Win-win’ for both sides
Referencing US-India high technology cooperation, Somers also added that “as the
United States and India deepen their partnership in defence cooperation, jobs are being created in India as well as in the US, spurred by technology trade and high-end manufacturing. This is a ‘win-win’ for both sides”.
USIBC’s Executive Defence Mission to Aero India 2009 seeks to enhance cooperation in security against terrorism, as well. In the aftermath of the tragic terror attacks in Mumbai, both governments have expressed a deep desire to collaborate more closely in counterterrorism initiatives, intelligence sharing and technology sharing.
Defence and security cooperation has steadily increased ever since India and the United States launched the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) in 2001.
Since then, a number of US defence companies have opened offices in India, partnered with local industry to expand defence collaboration, and have signed significant deals with the Government of India – all essential steps to bolster trust between the countries and to enhance India’s defence and homeland security.
Mutual interest
Such a relationship will yield military, political and economic benefits that support the mutual interests of India and the United States.
The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 under the aegis of the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce is the premier business advocacy organization representing 300 of the largest U.S. companies investing in India, joined by global Indian companies, whose mandate is to deepen US-India commercial ties.
The US-India Business Council celebrates its 34th Anniversary featuring USIBC Chairman Indra K Nooyi on June 16th/17th, 2009 in Washington, D.C.
