India, US Air Chiefs Hold High-Level Talks In Arlington To Boost Defence Cooperation

Last Updated:April 11, 2026, 20:39 IST

The discussions focused on strengthening joint interoperability, modernisation efforts and future training opportunities between the two air forces.

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has held a series of high-level meetings in the United States aimed at advancing shared priorities and deepening the fast-growing defence partnership between New Delhi and Washington.

Singh, who is on an official visit to the US, was accorded a full honours arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington on April 8 before heading to the Pentagon for talks with US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Ken Wilsbach and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.

According to a statement from the US Air Force (USAF), the discussions focused on strengthening joint interoperability, modernisation efforts and future training opportunities between the two air forces, with both sides underlining their shared commitment to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

“Opportunities like this are crucial for building our joint interoperability and strengthening the strategic partnership between our air forces," Singh was quoted as saying.

During the meetings, senior leaders from the US Department of the Air Force reiterated the importance Washington places on its defence partnership with India, describing it as central to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Gen Wilsbach praised India’s leadership and its active role in multilateral exercises with like-minded partners. He stressed that continuing to prioritise and expand such cooperation would be key to enhancing regional deterrence.

Wilsbach also welcomed India’s procurement of MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft and underlined the USAF’s commitment to ensuring that the Indian Armed Forces can seamlessly and effectively employ the platform once it is delivered. He further highlighted the USAF’s readiness to support the IAF’s broader modernisation efforts, noting the mutual benefits of closer defence industrial collaboration.

“It was an honour to host Air Chief Marshal AP Singh for this important counterpart visit," Wilsbach said. “Throughout his day at the Pentagon, we had great discussions focused on modernisation efforts, future training opportunities and our shared commitment to a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific."

Beyond his engagements in the US capital region, Singh also travelled to key American air and space installations. In Colorado, he visited Peterson Space Force Base, where he received briefings on the binational North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) mission, which encompasses aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America, officials said.

The IAF chief then proceeded to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. There, his programme included briefings at the US Air Force Warfare Centre and a familiarisation flight in an F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft, underscoring the operational and technological dimension of the growing cooperation.

Following the top-level office calls at the Pentagon, staff talks were held to examine practical avenues for enhanced collaboration. Topics discussed 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.

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