Indo-US defence collaboration intensifies during 2-day meet in New Delhi

Led by Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and American Brig Gen Joel W Safranek, the co-chairs of the group, the discussions centred on leveraging the respective strengths of both partner nations to enhance defence cooperation and co-production.

The Indo-US joint working group, operating under the Defence Tech and Trade Initiative (DTTI), convened for a pivotal two-day meeting in New Delhi to bolster defence collaboration between the two nations, the Indian Air Force said. The meeting held on Monday and Tuesday was led by Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and American Brig Gen Joel W Safranek, the co-chairs of the group, the discussions centred on leveraging the respective strengths of both partner nations to enhance defence cooperation and co-production.

During the intensive sessions, key officials, including Brig Gen Joel W Safranek and Air Vice Marshal George Thomas, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans), delved into strategic plans aimed at deepening bilateral defence ties. The focus was on overcoming challenges through partnership and cooperative research, in line with the objectives set forth by the DTTI mechanism established in 2012. Indian Air Force shared details of the meeting saying, "On 29 and 30 Apr 24, the Indo-US joint working group under the Defence Tech & Trade Initiative between #USA & #India held a two-day meet at New Delhi where Brig Gen Joel W Safranek, Director, #AFSAC met Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit #DCAS@IAF_MCC."

"The co-chairs of the group, Brig Gen Joel W Safranek, Director and Air Vice Marshal George Thomas, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) discussed innovative plans to leverage the strengths of both partner nations to enhance defence collaboration and co-production. DTTI is a mechanism developed in 2012 to deepen bilateral defence cooperation focused on overcoming challenges by partnership and cooperative research," it added. Earlier last month, lauding the partnership with India, the United States Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin said that the deal between the two nations to produce jet weapons in collaboration is revolutionary.

Underscoring that India and the US are also co-producing an armoured vehicle, Austin said that such joint ventures will provide great capabilities. The landmark jet engine deal was revealed in June of last year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic official state visit to the US. To produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force, General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics signed a memorandum of understanding.(ANI)

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