With military ties growing, the US is transferring one of its amphibitious ships 'USS Trenten' to India to give the Indian Navy the capability to move troops and equipment to greater distances, a top American commander has said.
The transfer is expected to take place sometime this December, Commander of the American Pacific Fleet Admiral Gary Roughhead told PTI in Washington.
USS Trenton, the admiral said, will give capability to the Indian Navy to move troops and equipment to great distances and the ability to remain off shore for a prolonged period of time.
The admiral, however, did not give any further details about the transfer of the amphibious ship.
He maintained that free and open access to sea was an important and critical challenge and the two navies were "very closely aligned".
He said "One of the reasons we have been very effective in operating together and looking to the future is because we see the challenges that we face on the oceans, on the sea lanes and the importance of keeping those open".
The top American Navy official, who was recently in India, said discussions with his counterparts were comprehensive that included future operations, exercises and exchanges. "I remain very impressed with the Indian Navy".
There was a highly personal element to the admiral's visit to India recently -- he wanted to track down the house he lived in as a youngster in Mumbai.
