U.S. U.K. Aid For Indian Defence

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 17

U.S. U.K. Aid For Indian Defence

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

The Indian Government tonight announced an agreement for joint air training exercises in India between the Indian, British and United States Air Forces. The exercises follow a visit earlier this year of a United States and Commonwealth air mission which reviewed India’s air defence problems. It was announced recently that the United States was helping to set up a radar and communications network along the north border with China.

The announcement said the agreement on the exercises did not commit Britain and the United States to assist India if attacked; but it had been agreed that the two countries would consult with India in such a contingency.

The announcement also said discussions were going on for Soviet assistance for India's air defences. An Indian mission went to Moscow recently to discuss the supply of Soviet arms for India's defence. Russia is understood to have offered ground-to-air missiles, transport planes and helicopters, mountain guns and communications equipment. The Indian Air Force already operates Russian helicopters, 12 heavy transport planes and 14 light transport aircraft. Six MiG 21 supersonic jet fighters have also been delivered preparatory to the establishment of factories to produce them in India. At their talks at Birchgrove, Sussex, last month, President Kennedy and Mr Macmillan agreed to continue to help India by providing military aid to strengthen its defences against the threat of renewed Chinese attack. The announcement said that since the “large-scale Chinese aggression” against India last October the Indian Government had been seeking to strengthen the Indian Air Force to defend cities, industies and defence installations in the event of largescale air attacks by the Chinese. The United States had offered installations to cover almost the entire northern

border and this had been accepted.

Britain was also providing electronic and communications equipment. Because it would take 12 to 18 months for the installation of permanent radar units, the United States is sending mobile radar sets to India for an interim period. As part of the training of Indian airmen in radar equipment, it has been agreed with the United States and Britain that “high performance fighter aircraft from their air forces may visit India, temporarily and participate in joint training exercises with the Indian Air Force under over-all Indian Air Force aegis.” the announcement added.