Buy F-16s to avoid sanctions post-Russia deal, US tells India

[Hammad ur Rehman]

Just a few days after India-Russia inked $5 billion S-400 air defence missile system deal, there were speculations suggesting the US might impose sanctions on India for signing a deal with Russia. Recently, the US has reportedly told India to but F-16s from them in order to get a waiver on sanctions post the Moscow deal.

• By
• NewsX Bureau
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• Updated
• :
• 20 October 2018,
• 12:50 PM

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File image of F-16


While there were speculations claiming that India might face the US sanctions after they had purchased the S-400 air defence system from Russia, reports suggest that Washington has informally conveyed the New Delhi that they will be able to avoid the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions if they agree to purchase F-16 aircrafts from the United States. The following development surfaced after India-Russia inked the $5 billion defence deal while the Russian President Vladimir Putin was on his India visit. India’s neighbour Pakistan currently uses the same F-16 fighter jets which have been proposed to India by the US.

As per reports, India has not yet given any assurance on the proposal. Several defence experts suggest that Indis will not be keen in inducting then F-16 fighter jets as they are already being used by the Pakistan Air Force. Soon after India-Russia inked the billion dollar deal, there were reports that the US might impose sanctions on India from inking a deal with Russia. As per a report by Indian Express, the following S-400 deal between Moscow and Delhi led to a long discussion between Nirmala Sitharaman and James Mattis.

The reports further added that an offer to waive CAASTA was made earlier this month. The defence head of India and US had met on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) on Friday. Reports add that even though the deal had been finalised, the US sanctions might get triggered after India makes the payments for the S-400 missile system.

The following development surfaces after the US President Donal Trump, last week, said that India will soon find out the US’ stand on their S-400 deal with Russia.

 

[Hammad ur Rehman]

https://www.newsx.com/world/buy-f-16s-to-avoid-sanctions-post-russia-deal-us-tells-india

 

[maximuswarrior]

LOL fvcking awesome. The Americans still desperate to sell their outdated F-16s to India. These two deserve each other. A match made in heaven.

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

It's clear blackmailing....

 

[Skull and Bones]

Make that F-18SH, and India might still consider.

 

[Shabi1]

APG-83s on the F-16 Blk-70 use F-22/F-35 technology. US will again be in a catch 22 situation, since whole argument was S-400 learning how to detect radar and aircraft signatures.

India will have the upper hand in any such negotiation now.

 

[maximuswarrior]

APG-83s on the F-16 Blk-70 use F-22/F-35 technology. US will again be in a catch 22 situation, since whole argument was S-400 learning how to detect radar and aircraft signatures.

India will have the upper hand in any such negotiation now.

That problem will remain with any fighter the Indians buy from the Yanks. The Yanks have no way out of this other than bullying India out of the S-400 deal.

LOL the Indians would be crazy to buy any F-16 configuration. What an incredible dillema for the USA. This is fascinating.

 

[Foxtrot Delta]

Hahaha shows usa wants to turn india into next pakistan of 2000s..... Rely on USA take prdes . thank God we got rid of any Liverage USA had on us. I hope we never fall in that trap ever. Usa as a partner= Master in disguise.

 

[crankthatskunk]

If decision is made to buy F16 by India, that means more chances of Modi to sort out some bribes.
Novel solution. Go for it Indians.

 

[Trango Towers]

It's clear blackmailing....

Sit back relax and enjoy the show whilst having a nice beef burger

Hahaha shows usa wants to turn india into next pakistan of 2000s..... Rely on USA take prdes . thank God we got rid of any Liverage USA had on us. I hope we never fall in that trap ever. Usa as a partner= Master in disguise.

Henery Kissinger said its dangerous to be americas enemy but its suicidal to be its friend.

 

[Foxtrot Delta]

On the plus side for pakistan. We have 43+ years of experience with F 16s many different blocks. India will take decades to catch up in F16 vs f 16 battles even if they get upgraded 2018 variants of the bird.
Interesting times india with F16s hehe a little too late decades infact but haha atleast we will get to see F16 vs F16 perfect opportunity to shut indian mouths they always complaint pakistan had usa tech no wonder we with russian tech always have to be careful .

 

[maximuswarrior]

On the plus side for pakistan. We have 43+ years of experience with F 16s many different blocks. India will take decades to catch up in F16 vs f 16 battles even if they get upgraded 2018 variants of the bird.
Interesting times india with F16s hehe a little too late decades infact but haha atleast we will get to see F16 vs F16 perfect opportunity to shut indian mouths they always complaint pakistan had usa tech no wonder we with russian tech always have to be careful .

India won't opt for this fighter and they have turned it down many times before. India will only opt for it if they are forced under extreme circumstances by Uncle Sam. I don't see that happening though.

It doesn't make any sense from any angle. The Americans have tried their level best, but are now resorting to blackmail. This is desperation by the Americans.

 

[Cookie Monster]

LOL fvcking awesome. The Americans still desperate to sell their outdated F-16s to India. These two deserve each other. A match made in heaven.

I wouldn't call it outdated...the latest F16 configuration is quite capable. IMO the biggest drawback for India would be the leverage US will have over India if this F16 deal materializes.

If US forces F16 and India settles for it then India will acquire it in numbers since they recently just floated out the need for a sizeable quantity of single engine medium fighter aircrafts. Just imagine the threat of not supplying critical spares or withholding critical technologies in case if India gets out of line of uncle sam's wishes.

 

[atan651]

India cannot fight back and will cave in to US demand.

 

[maximuswarrior]

I wouldn't call it outdated...the latest F16 configuration is quite capable. IMO the biggest drawback for India would be the leverage US will have over India if this F16 deal materializes.

If US forces F16 and India settles for it then India will acquire it in numbers since they recently just floated out the need for a sizeable quantity of single engine medium fighter aircrafts. Just imagine the threat of not supplying critical spares or withholding critical technologies in case if India gets out of line of uncle sam's wishes.

Why would a country spend so much time, effort and money on a platform which is being phased out by most operators? By the time the Indians have learned a thing or two about this platform we will be years ahead. It makes no sense to waste so much effort and time when newer and potentially more potent aircraft are available. The F-16 is certainly not a slouch, but the airframe has its limitations. You can improve by adding stuff here and there, but only so much.

The real bummer for Hindustan is that the Americans aren't willing to immediately offer their best without milking India first with older F-16s.