Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh held talks with US Air Force Chief of Staff General Ken Wilsbach here to push for common priorities to promote a strong and growing defense partnership between the two countries.
Singh received full honors here on April 8 when he arrived at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and met with Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and Wilsbach at the Pentagon.
In addition to his engagements in the National Capital Region, Singh visited Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado for briefings on the North American Air Defense Command’s bi-national air warning, air control and maritime warning mission for North America, officials said.
The IAF chief also traveled to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where the visit included briefings at the US Air Force Military Center and a familiarization flight in an F-15EX Eagle II, a US Air Force (USAF) statement said.
“Opportunities like this are critical to building our joint interoperability and strengthening the strategic partnership between our Air Forces,” Singh said in a statement.
During the office calls, Air Department leaders emphasized the priority America places on its defense partnership with India and underscored its central role in ensuring a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Wilsbach praised India’s leadership and participation in multilateral exercises with like-minded partners, stressing that continuing to prioritize and expand such cooperation is key to strengthening regional deterrence.
He also welcomed India’s purchase of the MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft and highlighted the US Air Force’s commitment to ensure that the Indian armed forces can seamlessly and effectively use the platform after delivery.
Wilsbach also emphasized the USAF’s readiness to further support the IAF’s modernization efforts and noted the mutual benefits of pursuing these goals through defense industrial cooperation.
“It was an honor to host Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on this important visit,” he said.
“During his day at the Pentagon, we had great discussions focused on modernization efforts, future training opportunities and our shared commitment to a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Wilsbach said.
The office was followed by staff interviews to discuss topics that included the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, the Air National Guard’s Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center and full-scale MQ-9 operations.
