Boost for defence: India & US explore opportunities for cooperation on aircraft carrier technology

NEW DELHI: Seeking to deepen defence ties, the US Navy recently hosted a delegation of senior Indian naval officers for the inaugural " Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Cooperation" on the US eastern coast.

During a three-day visit, the Indian delegation, led by Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, visited the US Navy's state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, PCU Gerald Ford, currently under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.

He also received briefs on US Navy management of aircraft carrier programs, met with senior Pentagon officials, and toured the US Navy's research and development facilities for aircraft carrier launch and recovery systems as a first step to exploring opportunities for cooperation.

"During the working group the US and Indian navies held candid and open discussions on various aspects of aircraft carrier development, including design, integration, test, evaluation, management and oversight of carrier construction," said a US Embassy release.

The Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation, co-chaired by United States Navy's Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers, RADM Tom Moore, and India's Controller for Warship Production and Acquisition, VADM GS Pabby, is part of the larger India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

The intent of DTTI is to reduce procedural obstacles in both the US government and Government of India defence establishments in order to facilitate broader cooperation in defence production as a component of the strategic partnership. The Indian Ministry of Defence identified aircraft carrier technology as one of the topics of interest to pursue under DTTI.

The working group is looking forward to setting a meeting agenda for the next working group to be held in India early next year.