India and the United States have signed an agreement to implement the programme for Helicopter Operations from Ships Other Than Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC)
- The decision is taken to strengthen maritime security
- It was taken by Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her US Counterpart Jim Mattis on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus.
- A range of initiatives to strengthen US- India defence cooperation and enhance India's leadership role in the Indo-Pacific was discussed during the meeting.
About HOSTAC
- Helicopter Operations from Ships other Than Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC) is a military international standardization program made up of 4 regional HOSTAC Conferences/Working Groups.
- These regional groups are: NATO HOSTAC, SIAN HOSTAC, Pacific HOSTAC and Middle East HOSTAC.
