High powered US defence mission to attend Aero India 2007

Washington: In an attempt to maintain momentum in the recent US-India strategic initiatives, a high-powered executive defence mission from the United States would be arriving in India to participate in the country's major air show - Aero India 2007.

Launched by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), the mission would be led by William S Cohen, former US secretary of defence, and CEO of the Cohen Group, as well former ambassador, Thomas R Pickering, now of the Boeing Company.

The delegation would showcase American excellence in technology, reliability and long-term partnership at the Bangalore based show, which will remain open for public exhibition and business from February 7-11, 2007.

"Aero India 2007 provides an excellent platform for US aerospace companies to build alliances, find partners, and share cutting-edge technology with India. This is the first time in history that the US government has approved such a large fleet of military aircraft for static and flying display in a major air show" the USIBC has said in a release.

Along with senior officials from the US department of defence, American aerospace  companies, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, are fielding senior executives as well.

While Boeing will showcase the F/A-18F, C-17 transport aircraft, and Chinook heavy-lift chopper, Lockheed Martin will showcase the F-16, C-130J, and P-3C.