LEMoA in focus as Parrikar visits US
The pact will facilitate provision of logistical support
Two visits in eight months to the US by defence minister Manohar Parrikar could, among other things, be an indication of the growing relationship between the two countries.
As the minister embarks on his three- day official visit from Monday, the expectation is that the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement ( LEMoA) may be signed.
The pact is a key agreement on logistics to facilitate the militaries of both countries to simplify accounting procedures when it comes to joint training exercises, port calls, humanitarian assistance and mutual visits with easy access to support facilities like fuel issues, spares, repairs and so on.
On the other hand, the agreement will also imply a considerable enhancing of India’s operational reach in times of war, during rescue missions, while combating
Though LEMoA will simplify accounting in joint military exercises, it will also imply a considerable enhancing of India’s operational reach in times of war
piracy and also in securing the key trade route to the Pacific across the Malacca straits.
While the guiding principle of the agreement will be “ask and take”, it does not allow for the stationing of troops in each other’s bases.
Other dividends expected from this visit are in the areas of jet engine technology, unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs), cyber security and a push for a fighter aircraft deal that the US is keen to bag.
The US is the largest operator of overseas military bases, with 662 bases across 38 countries. The logistics exchange memorandum of agreement will enable India much freer access to all these stations.
American defence major Lockheed Martin had already offered to move its sole production line of the latest version of the fighter aircraft F- 16 Block 70 to India from Texas to meet Indian and global requirement. Globally, it faces competition from its American rival Boeing ( F/ A- 18E), France’s Dassault Aviation ( Rafale), Sweden’s Saab ( Gripen) and the Eurofighter.
Mr Parrikar will meet his American counterpart Ashton Carter, visit key air bases, interact with defence industry leaders and also visit a Boeing facility in Philadelphia.