Will soon resolve issues over amphibious aircraft: Japanese envoy

Kolkata  :   Japan is in discussions with India to solve the long drawn impasse over the procurement of US-2 amphibious aircraft by the Indian Navy and hopes that a solution will be found soon, Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan in India said here on Saturday.

ShinMaywa US-2 is a Japanese large STOL amphibious aircraft designed for air-sea rescue work. Indian government is reportedly in talks with Japan to procure about 12 of those aircraft.

"We would like to see more transfer of technology and equipment to India. There have been talks about the procurement of 'US-2' for a long time. But due to certain budgetary constraints and other issues, the procurement by the Indian Navy has not happened," Hiramatsu said in an event organised by the Bengal Chambers here.

"We are still discussing. Indian Navy is ready to acquire the US-2. Hopefully we will soon find a solution. This is the best amphibian aircraft in the world," he said.

The envoy said no concrete discussions have taken place between the two countries on the procurement of Japanese submarines by the Indian Navy.

Hiramatsu said he is encouraging the defence companies in Japan to engage in more business opportunities with India and said more deals might take place in the near future.

"I am encouraging the private defence companies in Japan to increase the possibilities of more business opportunities to countries like India. I hope more deals will happen in the near future," he said.

Talking about his country's enhanced security approach, the Japanese envoy said despite continuing to be a peace-loving and non-nuclear country, they will become more proactive in maintaining world peace and will be providing logistic support to the United Nations-sponsored operations in that respect.

"The basic approach of Japan's security policy has not changed. We continue to be a peace loving nation. We will not become a very big military power. We will continue to be a non-nuclear country that does not promote, possess or use nuclear weapons," Hiramatsu noted.

"We will be more pro-active in terms of our contribution to maintaining peace around the world. Japan will participate in peace keeping operations in a very positive manner. We will be ready for possible emergency situations surrounding Japan and we are going to provide logistic support to any kind of UN-sponsored operations," he added.