Rajnath Singh visits US naval air station, reflects on strong defence ties

Washington, December 18

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Naval Air Station base at Norfolk in Virginia in the US during which he observed a static display and a Boeing fighter jet demonstration as the two sides reflected on the “strong defence ties”.

Singh, along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, is in the US for the second 2+2 dialogue on Wednesday. They are being hosted by their US counterparts Defence Secretary Mark Esper and the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“Visited the Naval Air Station Oceana, Norfolk in the USA and observed a static display, and also F/A-18E flight demonstration,” Singh said in a tweet on Tuesday.

“At the Naval Station Norfolk, I had the opportunity to be on board USS Dwight D Eisenhower, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and we reflected on the strong defence ties between India and the United States,” he said in another tweet.

Singh’s visit to the air station gains significance given that India is seriously looking into these options of fighter jets both for its air force and navy.

Boeing, the manufacture of F/A-18E, has offered Block III of these fighter jets which, according to its officials, has carrier compatibility, advanced capability, affordability meaning low acquisition cost plus low cost per flight hour. PTI