Aircraft deal will boost ties with us, says Roemer

Terming India’s decision to buy ten Boeing C-17 aircrafts at $4.1 billion as historic, US ambassador to India, Timothy J Roemer said on Tuesday that the sale would generate 23,000 jobs in America besides boosting the strategic ties between the two countries.

Terming India’s decision to buy ten Boeing C-17 aircrafts at $4.1 billion as historic, US ambassador to India, Timothy J Roemer said on Tuesday that the sale would generate 23,000 jobs in America besides boosting the strategic ties between the two countries.

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“For India, the sale adds strategic and humanitarian muscle to its defence needs. The sale grows and sustains 23,000 jobs in America,” Roemer said in a statement.

The US envoy said the sale would further strengthen strategic ties between American and Indian armed forces, leading to enhanced cooperation for a safer and more secure region and world.

The US firms, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, had earlier lost out on a $10.4 billion deal for 126 combat jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Meanwhile, US has been arguing that the defence cooperation needs to be strengthened to add heft to the India-US strategic ties.

Listing out the benefits of the C-17 Globemaster for the modernisation of the IAF, the envoy underlined his country's commitment to sharing cutting-edge technologies with India.

“From joint training exercises to defence sales and ship visits, the US is committed to sharing expertise and cutting-edge technology with India, and to do so in a way that has economic benefits for both India and the United States,” he said.

Boeing C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases, and forward-operating bases, throughout the world.

It can also perform tactical airlifts, medical evacuation and airdrop missions, besides transporting large payloads and ability to land on short, rough runways.