India, US to cooperate in defense system development
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Feb 7, IRNA -- India`s Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee, while inaugurating `Aero-India 2005`, said that India would encourage defense system development with the United States and subsequent production of the system in India, the Press Trust of India reports. India has already entered into similar arrangements with Russia. BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile jointly produced with Russian assistance, is an example of successful completion of this strategic relationship. The defense minister emphasized the role of the Indian private industry in aviation product manufacture to attain "the best economics of cost and time." Mukherjee said the Centre was committed to promoting overall growth in agriculture, defense, communication and infrastructure development. "Aviation and aerospace endeavors lead to better infrastructure, regional development, job opportunities for the educated youth of the country and therefore good return on investment," the minister added. Over 900 delegates are participating in the three-day seminar held on the sidelines of the airshow to discuss aerospace technology development. The United States contingent will feature two F15-E Strike Eagle aircraft, the P-3C Orion, KC-135 Stratotanker and C-130J Hercules. The KC-135 Stratotanker is the giant flier that serves the purpose of air refueling for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircrafts. The F-15E Strike Eagle, a dual-role fighter aircraft, is designed to take up air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The aircraft is equipped to fly at low altitudes in all-weather conditions and destroy enemy ground positions over long ranges. Display of high-end US technologies in the Bangalore show is significant in the US desire to become an important supplier of arms to India overtaking Russia and Israel. 2160/2321/1432
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