After losing the deal for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft to French company Dassault’s Rafale, US presence at the Aero India 2013 in Bangalore has been quite low key.
Its marquee F16, piloted by Chris Nations, flew just once and was later part of the static display at the Aero India. “At all air shows we have been showcasing F-16’s proven capabilities and will certainly attract attention,” Chris Nations, told Business Line on the tarmac at the Yelahanka Air Station.
“We are from the demo team and our job is to take our fighter jets around the Asia-Pacific region during air shows such as Aero India to impress buyers,” he added.
“The pilots of our team are chosen after a minimum of 750 hours of flying experience in the US Air Force and there is a rigorous test and competition within the team.
“We are here to give a demonstration of our flight under India-US friendship and support air shows. We have been giving demonstration since 1990 and we have flown in air shows such as Avalon in Australia, Langkwai, Singapore, Moscow, the Philippines, Brunei, Japan and Korea,” said Ryan Warren, second F16 pilot.
F16 demo team consists of crew chief Zachary Hurt, S.Sgt Travis Wannarka, T.Sgt Jeffrey Stabes, S.Sgt Vincent Avila, M.Sgt Michael Leon and Sgt James Vargas.
According to S.Sgt Marc Caudill of the US Air Force, “The journey to India was most exciting and some of the crew are looking to come back to explore more.” Chris Nations, who flew from Osaka, Japan to India, said “It has been amazing. I am interested to see more of India. Hope to come back again,” he said. Asked to compare Dassault’s Rafael fighter with F16s, Chris Nations said “every jet fighter has its own merits and benefits and F-16 can prove very beneficial.”
The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has been facilitating meeting between American corporates and decision makers in air force, Navy and Army and home ministry on security systems and requirements.
anil.u@thehindu.co.in