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US offers high tech F-35 fighters to India
New Delhi, July 22: In a major move, the United States has sent feelers that it is now ready for transfer of hi-technology weaponry to India, including its 5th generation Joint Strike Fighter F-35. Though Pentagon has offered New Delhi participation in its missile shield, top of the shelf 4th generation F-16 and F-18/A fighters, weapon locating radars and its new brand of long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, it has so far kept the F-35 under wraps.

But in a surprise move last week, a high-level team from US Defence Major Lockheed Martin met top officials of the Indian Air Force to convey that the F-35 Ligthening-II was available for IAF's 5th generation fighter requirements.
Boy howdy that's going to twist some turbans in Islamabad.
Lockheed Martin's Vice President for Business Development, Rob Weiss told PTI after the meeting that they had indicated that the F-35 was ready to be in reckoning for India's fighter needs beyond the induction of the 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft

The offer would come in handy for India as the country's security experts have been struggling to find partners to develop futuristic 5th generation fighters. Though New Delhi has been in negotiation with Moscow for joint development and joint investment in next generation fighters, the Russian concepts of such fighters is currently only on the drawing board.
Russians have fabulous aircraft designers -- some of the best in the world -- but don't have the means to get 5th gen fighter aircraft built in any quantity and quality. The F-35 is a reality and will be rolling off production lines soon. While the Paks and Chinese might in the future come up with a counter for th F-16 or F-18, it's a decade, at least, before they get their hands on a plane that counters the F-35. This is a win-win situation for us and India: it pulls the Indians closer to us, it cuts the per-plane cost of the -35, and it allows the IAF a big jump in its quest to be a first-nation air force.

Posted by: John Frum 2007-07-22
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=194199