Some readers of last week’s post on the Indian carrier program contacted me to suggest that I had shortchanged Indian efforts to develop naval aviation partnerships. In retrospect, I clearly understated the extent to which the Indian Navy has worked with other carrier-operating navies, especially the USN. For example, Indian pilots have been training (with MiG-29Ks) in the United States for several years, in preparation for the arrival of the INS Vikramaditya. The Indian Navy has also procured the P-8 Poseidon, which, in addition to its own good qualities, should serve to facilitate a closer relationship between naval aviators from the two countries.
However, there remain limits to the U.S.-Indian relationship. The willingness of the Indian Navy to commit to and exploit the expertise of the USN is laudable, but it would certainly help if the Ministry of Defense could help develop more coherence between strategic goals and procurement priorities.
18/07/13 Robert Farley/The Diplomat
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However, there remain limits to the U.S.-Indian relationship. The willingness of the Indian Navy to commit to and exploit the expertise of the USN is laudable, but it would certainly help if the Ministry of Defense could help develop more coherence between strategic goals and procurement priorities.
18/07/13 Robert Farley/The Diplomat
