As part of his ongoing US tour, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh held high-level discussions with US Air Force leadership, including Chief of Staff Gen Ken Wilsbach, to strengthen growing defence partnership and talked on shared strategic priorities, procurement of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones and boosting Indo-Pacific cooperation.The IAF chief received a full honours arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling on April 8 and met Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Wilsbach at the Pentagon.“It was an honour to host Air Chief Marshal AP Singh for this important counterpart visit,” Gen Wilsbach said, adding that discussions focused on modernisation, training opportunities, and shared commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. 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 Sky Guardian drones and assured continued US support for their effective integration into Indian armed forces operations.On Oct 15, 2024, India had signed a $4 billion (approx Rs 32,000 crore) deal to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Jan 2029 and conclude by Sept 2030. The deal includes 15 SeaGuardians for the Navy and 16 SkyGuardians for the Army and Air Force, boosting surveillance along the China and Pakistan borders.In a post on X, the IAF chief said, “The IAF chief received full honors and held talks with senior US officials, focusing on joint training, interoperability, MQ-9B drones, and modernisation efforts.”The IAF chief visited Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado for briefings centred on the binational North American Aerospace Defence Command mission of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America.Singh also travelled to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where the visit included briefings at the US Air Force Warfare Centre and a familiarisation flight in an F-15EX Eagle II, a statement from the US Air Force (USAF) said.“Opportunities like this are crucial for building our joint interoperability and strengthening the strategic partnership between our air forces,” Singh was quoted as saying in the statement.The office call was followed by staff talks to discuss topics that included the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Programme, the Air National Guard’s Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Centre, and full-spectrum MQ-9 operations.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Don’t Assume It’s Over” Rajnath Cautions On West Asia ConflictJag Vikram Leads Way, First Indian Ship Through Hormuz Post CeasefireSupreme Court Clarifies: Right To Vote And Contest Elections Not Fundamental Rights, But StatutoryCDS General Anil Chauhan Says All Services On The Same Page On Theatre CommandTharoor Attacks Pak, Says Terror History Can’t Be Wiped Out Before TalksMaha Vir Chakra Awardee Col Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away; Kargil War Hero Remembered For BraveryIndia Sends Second Medical Shipment To Iran, Wins Praise Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict CrisisVikram Misri’s Paris–Berlin Visit: India Pushes Defence, Energy & Trade Ties Amid Global TensionsUP’s Massive Voter List Reset: 8.43 Million Added, 13.2% Deleted in Longest-Ever RevisionNitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Oath Triggers Bihar Leadership Buzz: Who Will Be the Next CM?123PhotostoriesFrom calling ‘Sweetu’ in Kal Ho Naa Ho more than just a ‘fat friend’ to speaking about her divorce with ex-husband Rajeev Paul and alimony, Delnaaz Irani opens up about her lifeWhy homemade paneer turns hard and 5 smart tips to fix it at home5 signs someone is draining your energy- And how to deal with themBollywood who? These Indian royals are the new kings of menswearPolka dots to tiger stripes: 5 Y2K prints everyone is wearing right nowRavi Bishnoi’s Jodhpur house: A reflection of tradition, comfort, and calm livingTop 6 residential areas in Vadodara for buyers and investorsThat back pain may not be muscle strain: Early signs of kidney issues people often missWhy gold remains India’s favorite investment and fashion’s biggest statement5 mantras to teach your kids for success123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case
As part of his ongoing US tour, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh held high-level discussions with US Air Force leadership, including Chief of Staff Gen Ken Wilsbach, to strengthen growing defence partnership and talked on shared strategic priorities, procurement of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones and boosting Indo-Pacific cooperation.The IAF chief received a full honours arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling on April 8 and met Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Wilsbach at the Pentagon.“It was an honour to host Air Chief Marshal AP Singh for this important counterpart visit,” Gen Wilsbach said, adding that discussions focused on modernisation, training opportunities, and shared commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. 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 Sky Guardian drones and assured continued US support for their effective integration into Indian armed forces operations.On Oct 15, 2024, India had signed a $4 billion (approx Rs 32,000 crore) deal to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Jan 2029 and conclude by Sept 2030. The deal includes 15 SeaGuardians for the Navy and 16 SkyGuardians for the Army and Air Force, boosting surveillance along the China and Pakistan borders.In a post on X, the IAF chief said, “The IAF chief received full honors and held talks with senior US officials, focusing on joint training, interoperability, MQ-9B drones, and modernisation efforts.”The IAF chief visited Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado for briefings centred on the binational North American Aerospace Defence Command mission of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America.Singh also travelled to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where the visit included briefings at the US Air Force Warfare Centre and a familiarisation flight in an F-15EX Eagle II, a statement from the US Air Force (USAF) said.“Opportunities like this are crucial for building our joint interoperability and strengthening the strategic partnership between our air forces,” Singh was quoted as saying in the statement.The office call was followed by staff talks to discuss topics that included the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Programme, the Air National Guard’s Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Centre, and full-spectrum MQ-9 operations.
