Obama to push for more defence deals with India in 2nd term

India on Wednesday congratulated Barack Obama for winning a second term in the White House hoping the economic and defence ties between the two countries will be furthered.

Obama has been instrumental in pushing through defence deals worth $10 billion with India in his first term creating thousands of jobs back home. Many of the defence deals with the US are still in offing.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also congratulated Obama – with whom he shares a special equation -for his re-election. “I have no doubt that there is much more we can do together to further strengthen the India-U.S. partnership and thereby advance peace and stability, expand mutual economic opportunities, harness the potential of science and technology, innovation and higher education and empower our people to address global challenges,” Singh said in his congratulatory message. 

Obama has also been pushing for better relations with India as was evident during his four day presidential tour – the longest overseas visit by him as President. Obama, who broke the racial ceiling for being the first Black elected President in the White House, also expressed his solidarity with India in countering terrorism.

As per keen watchers of the defence industry, there will be “renewed thrust” from Obama on signing of more defence deals with India to help the economic crises back home. The total defence trade between the two countries in last 10 years has been $ 10 billion and in 2011 only India has purchased military equipments worth more than $4.5 billion from the US. The big ticket deals signed with the US in the last five years been eight P-8I maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft from Boeing valuing $ 2.1 billion. India is also buying 10 C-17 heavy-lifters from Boeing for $4.1 billion. The six C-130 J special operations aircraft valuing $ 1.2 billion have already arrived in the country and order for six more is in the offing. India is also planning to place an order for M777 ultra light howitzers for $ 700 million to augment its firepower in the mountainous terrain.

The US firms have also emerged as the chosen one for supplying the attack helicopters and the heavy lift helicopters for the Indian Air Force.

In a gesture to reciprocate, the US also eased its US Export Controls and Technology security policies towards India and removed premier Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the Commerce Department Entity List.

The US earlier this year unveiled a new military strategy for Asia-Pacific under the leadership of Obama giving a more pivotal role to India to counter the rise of China. The US has been all out trying to woo India by stepping up bilateral defence trade and cooperation. The US also underlined its commitment towards the modernization of the Indian Army.

With the US set to pull out its troops from strife-torn Afghanistan by 2014 end, it has been urging India to play a greater role in stabilizing the country. So far India’s involvement in Afghanistan has been limited to economic and soft skills development. The US is keen on New Delhi’s help in training Afghanistan police and Army.

Hindon makes room for IAF's jumbo aircraft

Infrastructure building has started full throttle at Hindon air base on the fringes of the national capital for operation of the Indian Air Force's largest aircraft - the Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III.

 

 

The beast will roughly have double the capacity of the present Russian heavy lifters in the IAF - the Ilyushin IL-76s - which they are set to replace.

The 20-odd Il-76 presently operated by the IAF can air lift around 45 tonnes of load, whereas C-17 is capable of transporting 70 tonnes of load -  military hardware and troops - at small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night.

"Infrastructure development has started at the Hindon airbase. Boeing – the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is building the facilities like hangars and crew room for the aircraft and the unit operating it," sources said. The infrastructure will be swanky and comparable to the US airbases.

C-17s will be the second unit of strategic airlifters to have been stationed in the National Capital Region. Earlier, a squadron of Lockheed Martin's C-130 Js was stationed at Hindon - a decision taken in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to facilitate quick movement of troops and weapons and to air drop them where they are needed.

The aircraft is wide enough to accommodate two trucks side by side and can carry two-three helicopters easily. The IAF was looking at a heavy lifter that can operate from short runways like Kargil. The C-17s impressed the IAF during field trials as it took off from the Kangra airport by using only 1500 feet of the runway just after touchdown. Just like its American cousin C-130 Js the C-17s can also taxi in reverse gear when required.

"As the first of the aircraft will be ready by January 2013, the training of the IAF pilots has also begun," sources added. A total of 10 crews - including 20 pilots and 10 loadmasters will be trained by the Boeing.

India had signed $ 4.1 billion contract, one of the largest defence deals with the US, to purchase 10 C-17s and with the contract the IAF will became one of the biggest operator of the aircraft in the world after the US Air Force. As the aircraft is being manufactured in the US, the first flight is expected in Jan 2013 and the IAF will get its first C-17 by June 2013. The next 9 will come home by 2014.

Notwithstanding its massive size- 174 ft length, 55 ft height and about 170 ft wingspan - the aircraft can be operated by three-member crew. The two-decade old IL-76s require a minimum of six crew members and a gunner.

Flown with the help of a joystick the four-engine aircraft can take off quickly at a short distance and steep angles.