The bomber’s return to India for Aero India 2023 underscores the importance the US places on the growing strategic partnership with India…reports Asian Lite News
Two bombers of the United States Air Force (USAF) on Tuesday arrived at Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru, journeying to India from their temporary duty location at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
The B-1B Lancer, a supersonic heavy bomber, is capable of carrying out missions worldwide from bases in the US and other locations. Regarded as the backbone of America’s long-range bomber force, it carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the USAF.
“The B-1 offers flexible options to senior leaders and combatant commanders,” said Major General Julian C Cheater, assistant deputy undersecretary of the US Air Force, International Affairs. “Greater integration with our Allies and partners throughout the region is a positive step towards greater interoperability.”
The B-1B was in India for the first time on February 3, 2021, conducting a fly-by on the inaugural day of Aero India as it was escorted by the Tejas fighter of the Indian Air Force. The bomber’s return to India for Aero India 2023 underscores the importance the US places on the growing strategic partnership with India, said an official.
“We are happy to have the B1 in India for the second time. These bombers made the journey from South Dakota to Guam and then to India just to add another exciting dimension to Aero India ‘23,” said Rear Admiral Michael Baker, defence attaché at the US Embassy in New Delhi. “It’s a long mission to travel from the continental US to the Indian Ocean; but it was worth it to be part of the biggest air show in the region hosted by our major defence partner, India. The US and India continue to deepen defence cooperation. We have two great militaries that are even better when we work together.”
The array of US aircraft participating in Aero India 2023 shows the strength of the US-India partnership. In addition to the B-1s, the line-up includes the US Air Force’s newest fifth-generation fighters: the stealthy, supersonic, multirole F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter. Throughout the week, an F-16 Fighting Falcon duo is conducting daily aerial demonstrations. The US Navy’s F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighters are on static display at Yelahanka Air Force Base in Bengaluru.
US has sent its largest-ever delegation at the Aero India 2023, signifyinf the growing Indo-US ties in various sectors, US Charge d’Affaires A. Elizabeth Jones said.
Jones, who will inaugurate the USA Partnership Pavilion at Aero India 2023, said: “India and the United States are working together in so many ways to ensure a free and open, prosperous, connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, where our democracies can thrive. As partners, we’re working together to address climate change; improve global health and prepare for new pandemics; cooperate on cyber challenges; build quality infrastructure; and ensure sustainable supply chains. We’re strengthening our cooperation on critical technologies, from space components to semiconductors.”
With a host of US aeronautical and aerospace companies setting up operations in India, the Bengaluru event offers the perfect setting for companies from both countries to explore new opportunities and strengthen connections.
Jedidiah P. Royal, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, who leads the US delegation of senior officials from the Department of Defense, said: “These close partnerships have generated tens of thousands of jobs in India and enabled critical transfers of technology and manufacturing expertise to India. US companies have established engineering centers and manufacturing hubs and have also invested in building R&D centers that harness India’s incredibly talented scientists and engineers to advance cutting- edge R&D projects.”
Among the major highlights throughout Aero India 2023, an F-16 Fighting Falcon duo, one of the US Air Force’s leading fighter jets, will conduct daily aerial demonstrations. The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet, the US Navy’s most advanced frontline carrier-based, multi-role strike fighter available today, will be on static display.
Major General Julian C. Cheater, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, said: “As democracies bookending the Indo-Pacific, the United States and India share a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. That shared vision is strengthened by world-class events like Aero India where we are able to engage in-person to increase trust and understanding.”