Lucknow (NVI): Ahead of the DefExpo-2020 beginning here tomorrow, the US today said it looks forward to pursuing opportunities to expand cooperation with India which would be establishing defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
US Ambassador Kenneth Juster, who will lead the American delegation at the defence exhibition, spoke about the collaborations already established between companies of the two countries.
“For example, Tata has partnered with Lockheed Martin to build all C-130 tails and F-16 wings here. And Boeing is collaborating with HAL [Hindustan Aeronautics Limited] to produce all AH-64 Apache fuselages in Hyderabad,” he said.
The envoy said the potential for industry partnership between the US and India on state-of-the-art defence equipment is enormous.
He suggested that India should now move towards systems – not just weapons – that are “effective, agile, and resilient”.
“We believe that India must ultimately move toward systems that are interoperable with the equipment and networks of its security partners,” he said while interacting with journalists here.
“While defence technology and an opportunity to view the latest high-tech gadgetry is what attracts visitors to DEFEXPO, perhaps the greatest value is the occasion it provides for our companies to foster closer industry-to-industry ties in what is a key pillar of the US-India relationship,” he said.
Juster said the US firms participating in the exhibition produce battle-proven, high-technology equipment and networks. “For example, these companies have supplied modern land and sea-based fighter aircraft; ballistic missile defense systems; the most advanced, networked avionics equipment; and secure communications equipment for the United States and our partners. They are poised to offer the same to India,” he said.
The ambassador also highlighted that US firms at the DefExpo-2020 are partnering with companies across India, including in Uttar Pradesh’s Defence Corridor, to produce defense equipment not just for our countries’ militaries, but for those of partner nations.
Juster said that US defence cooperation with India will continue to grow stronger. “Defense trade among our companies is creating skilled jobs right here in India,” he added.
The five-day DefExpo, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow in the presence of Union Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh, will conclude on February 9. The theme of DEFEXPO this year is the “Digital Transformation of Defense.”
