Indian Air Force chief meets senior US officials to discuss shared strategic priorities, MQ-9B drones

As part of his ongoing trip to the United States, Indian Air Chief Marshal Apu Singh held high-level discussions with the US Air Force leadership, including Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, to strengthen the evolving defense partnership and discuss mutual strategic priorities, procurement of MQ-9B Skyguard unmanned aerial vehicles and promoting Indo-Pacific cooperation.On April 8, the Chief of Staff of the Indian Air Force had the honor of arriving at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and met with Secretary of the Air Force Troy Maker and Wilsbach at the Pentagon.“It was an honor to host Air Chief Marshal Apu Singh on this important reciprocal visit,” said General Wilsbach, adding that discussions focused on modernization, training opportunities and a shared commitment to a free, open and prosperous 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 Skyguard drones and assured that the United States will continue to support its effective integration into Indian armed forces operations.On October 15, 2024, India signed an agreement worth US$4 billion (approximately Rs. 32,000 crore) to purchase 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States. The delivery is scheduled to start in January 2029 and end in September 2030. The agreement includes the supply of 15 SeaGuardian drones to the Navy and 16 SkyGuardian drones to the Army and Air Force to enhance surveillance along China and Pakistan. boundary.“The Indian Air Force chief received full honors and held talks with senior US officials focusing on joint training, interoperability, MQ-9B drones and modernization efforts,” the IAF chief said in a post on X.The Indian Air Force chief visited Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to receive a briefing on the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning missions in North America.A U.S. Air Force (USAF) statement said Singer also traveled to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where his visit included a briefing at the U.S. Air Force Operations Center and a familiarization flight in an F-15EX Eagle II.“Opportunities like this are critical to building our joint interoperability and strengthening the strategic partnership between our air forces,” the statement quoted Singh as saying.The office call was followed by a staff meeting, where topics discussed included the National Guard Bureau’s National Partner Program, the Air National Guard’s Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center and full-spectrum MQ-9 operations.