Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Apr 11: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh held high-level discussions with US Air Force leadership, including Chief of Staff Gen Ken Wilsbach, to strengthen the growing defence partnership between India and the United States.
According to officials, Singh was received with full honours at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling on April 8 and later met Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Gen Wilsbach at the Pentagon. The discussions focused on shared strategic priorities and expanding military cooperation.
During his visit, the IAF chief also toured Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, where he received briefings on the binational North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) mission involving aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America.
He also visited Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where he interacted with the US Air Force Warfare Centre and undertook a familiarisation flight in an F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft.
“It was an honour to host Air Chief Marshal AP Singh for this important counterpart visit,” Gen Wilsbach said, adding that discussions focused on modernisation, training opportunities, and shared commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Officials said US defence leaders reiterated the importance of the India–US strategic partnership and highlighted its role in maintaining regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. Wilsbach also appreciated India’s participation in multilateral exercises and stressed continued cooperation to enhance deterrence capabilities.
He further welcomed India’s procurement of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones and assured continued US support for their effective integration into Indian armed forces operations.
The visit also included staff-level talks covering issues such as the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Programme, advanced airlift tactics training, and MQ-9 operational capabilities, underscoring growing defence-industrial collaboration between the two nations.