Hawaii exercise: IAF asks US to slash landing charges

As The Indo-US Defence Policy group meets for the sixth time, both sides will have their work cut out to solve an issue that threatens to de...

As The Indo-US Defence Policy group meets for the sixth time, both sides will have their work cut out to solve an issue that threatens to derail a joint air exercise in Hawaii this August.

The IAF has reportedly expressed its unhappiness on the charges the US levies every time an IAF craft lands on US soil for the joint exercises. In fact, upset that similar charges would be levied this time too, despite several requests, the IAF threatened to pull out of the Hawaii exercises.

Confirming that discussions to resolve the issue were on, an IAF spokesman said: ‘‘The negotiations are on with the US. The financial implications would be as per the mutual convenience of both parties.’’

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Sources say the issue was also discussed at the Military Cooperation Group last week, with the IAF representative pointing out that Air Headquarters was unwilling to pay the steep charges.

According to South Block sources, the US sought to bill the IAF to the tune of US $222,000 which was turned down by the IA, which is instead keen to bring down the charges substantially and may pay US $35,000.

And while the IAF negotiates for lesser charges, six Jaguars are being prepared for the first-ever combat aircraft joint exercise on US soil. The exercise will be part of a multilateral one with nearly 30 countries participating. It will try out an entire gamut of exercises that will include joint manoeuvres as well as air lift capabilities, said Air Headquarters’ sources.

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