New Delhi: US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach has hosted Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh for a high-level visit aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
The visit began with a full honours reception at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, followed by meetings at the Pentagon. During the engagements, Singh held discussions with Troy Meink, Secretary of the Air Force, and Wilsbach, according to the US Air Force Public Affairs department.
Senior US Air Force leadership highlighted the importance of the defence partnership with India, describing it as central to maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Wilsbach noted India’s active role in multilateral exercises and stressed the need to expand such cooperation to strengthen regional deterrence.
He also acknowledged India’s decision to procure MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft and said the US Air Force remains committed to supporting the effective integration of the aircraft into Indian service. The discussions also focused on advancing Indian Air Force modernisation through closer defence industrial collaboration.
Wilsbach stated that the visit provided an opportunity to discuss modernisation priorities, future training initiatives, and shared goals for a stable Indo-Pacific.
The official talks were followed by detailed staff-level discussions covering areas such as the State Partnership Program of the National Guard Bureau, training initiatives at the Air National Guard, and operational aspects of MQ-9 platforms.
As part of his itinerary, Singh also visited Peterson Space Force Base, where he was briefed on the mission of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, including aerospace and maritime warning systems.
He later travelled to Nellis Air Force Base, where he attended briefings at the US Air Force Warfare Center and undertook a familiarisation flight in an F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft.
Singh said such engagements play a key role in improving interoperability and further strengthening strategic ties between the two air forces.
