India’s ambitious mission to have an amphibious aircraft in its navy is likely to move a step forward when an Indo-Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) meets later this month to decide on the modalities of its induction. The options to be discussed include outright purchase of the aircraft, joint manufacturing or a combination of both. The JWG meeting, expected on 23 December, will be the second since 12 September and is likely to be followed by another high-level meeting between the two countries shortly afterwards, official sources said.
Japan is pushing for over-the-counter sale of the US-2 aircraft produced by ShinMaywa Industries Ltd, which has a range of about 4,500 km and is suitable for search-and-rescue operations. The US-2 is also capable of carrying sensitive communications equipment. This aircraft usually has the capability of landing on choppy waters with waves of up to three metres, apart from having long-range civilian and military applications. “While Japan wants to sell these aircraft, India wants to manufacture it jointly. The JWG is likely to meet on 23 December to decide on these issues,” the sources told PTI.
01/12/13 First Post
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Japan is pushing for over-the-counter sale of the US-2 aircraft produced by ShinMaywa Industries Ltd, which has a range of about 4,500 km and is suitable for search-and-rescue operations. The US-2 is also capable of carrying sensitive communications equipment. This aircraft usually has the capability of landing on choppy waters with waves of up to three metres, apart from having long-range civilian and military applications. “While Japan wants to sell these aircraft, India wants to manufacture it jointly. The JWG is likely to meet on 23 December to decide on these issues,” the sources told PTI.
01/12/13 First Post
