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US offers F-16 jet fighters to India
March 3, 2006 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
The United States offered to sell India advanced fighter aircraft and other high-tech arms as the next step in a rapidly expanding military relationship between the two countries.
The announcement by the Pentagon came during a visit to the south Asia nation by President George W. Bush, who cemented a new strategic partnership with India earlier Thursday with a landmark agreement on civilian nuclear technology.
"The United States is committed to providing state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in response to India's requirements for a multi-role combat aircraft," the Pentagon said. "We have indicated our intention to offer both the F-16 and the F-18, both combat proven aircraft," it said.
The Pentagon also pledged to work to make additional capabilities available to India as they enter the US force, and said its proposal also addresses India's interest in technology transfers and indigenous co-production.
The statement portrayed the offer as the next step in taking the burgeoning US military relationship with India to a new level.
"It is our goal to help meet India's needs in the defense realm, and to provide important capabilities and technologies that India seeks. We are on a path to accomplish this," the Pentagon said.
India has said it wants to buy 126 multi-role fighter aircraft over the next 15 years to upgrade its forces.
Russia and France have been India's traditional suppliers of aircraft, but New Delhi is now considering a wider range of fighter aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F/A-18.
The Pentagon stated that their proposal will also address India's interest in technology transfer and indigenous co-production.
A 13th FS F-16C block 50 #92-3894 taxis past Indian Air Force MiG-27 fighters on the flightline at Kalaijunda AB, India during Exercise 'Cope India 06'. American and Indian Airmen are participating in exercise Cope India 06, which began on November 7th 2005. The exercise will help enhance interoperability between the two air forces. The squadron deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan. [USAF photo by Capt. John Redfield]
"The United States is committed to providing state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in response to India's requirements for a multi-role combat aircraft," the Pentagon said. "We have indicated our intention to offer both the F-16 and the F-18, both combat proven aircraft," it said.
The Pentagon also pledged to work to make additional capabilities available to India as they enter the US force, and said its proposal also addresses India's interest in technology transfers and indigenous co-production.
The statement portrayed the offer as the next step in taking the burgeoning US military relationship with India to a new level.
"It is our goal to help meet India's needs in the defense realm, and to provide important capabilities and technologies that India seeks. We are on a path to accomplish this," the Pentagon said.
India has said it wants to buy 126 multi-role fighter aircraft over the next 15 years to upgrade its forces.
Russia and France have been India's traditional suppliers of aircraft, but New Delhi is now considering a wider range of fighter aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Boeing F/A-18.
The Pentagon stated that their proposal will also address India's interest in technology transfer and indigenous co-production.
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- USAF takes 12 F-16s to Cope India exercise (2005-09-07)
- Indian pilots to fly Thai F-16s (2005-04-28)
- Indian air force to acquire 126 jets (2005-02-07)
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