US eyes $ 30bln trade in defence procurements with India

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) The United States is eyeing 30 billion dollar trade in defence related procurements with India in the next five years with India, with options open for co-production of defence equipments between the two democracies.

''India's manufacturing power is well recognised and is becoming a part of global supply chain,'' President of US India Business Council (USIBC) Ron Somers told reporters here today.

Encouraged by the Indo-US nuclear partnership, 52 US companies will participate in Aero-India 2007 to demonstrate commitment to a robust defence relationship with the country, offering top technology, co-production, job creation and manufacture of critical components, he added.

For the first time the US Department of Defence has sent such a display of air and fire power to the subcontinent. Boeing will showcase the fighter aircraft 18F, C-17 transport aircraft and Chinook heavy-lift chopper, while Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-16, will display the C-130J and P-3C.

Many companies are seeking to expand the partner base with India and announcements are likely to be made in Aero-India 2007 in Bangalore, Former ambassador to India Thomas Pickering said.

The Aero-India air show is beginning from February 7.

Former US Secretary of Defence William S Cohen is leading an executive mission to the event, comprised of top US defence companies including Boeing, Cohen group, Emergent Bio-Solutions, Fremont Group, General Dynamics, General Electric Aviation, Honeywell International, ITT Industries, Lockheed Martin, L-3 Communications, Raytheon, Goodrich and others.

The delagates will meet the Minister of Defence A K Antony at Yelahanka Air Base together with defence secretaries of acquisition and production.

''The business council is keen to demonstrate commitment to a long-term partnership by competing on a long term playing field to equip India's aerospace and defence sectors with cutting-edge US technology,'' Mr Somers said.

UNI