Why in News?

• A prototype of the Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV) was recently developed by India and the United States is likely to be flight tested in 2023.

Highlights

• Prime Minister of India inaugurated Aero India 2023, a five-day event at India Air Force station in Bengaluru, India.
• This year’s theme is ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’ and the focus is on showcasing India’s growth in aerospace and defense capabilities.
• Aero India 2023 displays indigenous equipment/technologies and forge partnerships with foreign companies, aligning with the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision.
• The major exhibitors at Aero India include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, SAAB, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) etc.
• The Indian Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense signed a Project Agreement for ALUAV, under the Joint Working Group Air Systems in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
• The ALUAV Is being developed to be launched from an aircraft, specifically the C130J aircraft.The Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and the Aerospace Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory are the principal organizations involved in the project.
• The project agreement also involves technology transfer, which is seen as a great step in the relationship between India and the U.S.
• India and the U.S. are working together in various areas to ensure a free and open, prosperous, connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, where democracies can thrive
• The DTTI is a bilateral program between India and the United States aimed at deepening their defence ties through cooperation in military technology development and trade.
• The Initiative was launched in 2012 and is designed to facilitate collaboration in defence manufacturing, research and development, and technology transfer.
• It seeks to enhance the interoperability of military forces and promote regional stability by building a strong defence partnership between the two countries