F16, F18s would have provided India unbeatable platforms

[Windjammer]

Having lost out on the multi-billion Indian Air Force contract, the Pentagon said American fighter jets - F16 and F18 - would have provided India unbeatable platforms with proven technologies at a competitive price.

"We are extremely confident that the F/A-18IN and F-16IN would have provided the Indian Air Force unbeatable platforms with proven technologies at a competitive price," the Pentagon spokesman Cmdr Leslie Hull-Ryde said.

"As you know, our platforms are derived from combat proven fighter aircraft and represent the cutting-edge of proven technology", Hull-Ryde said.

The Pentagon remarks came a day after India announced that the French company Dassault Aviation has emerged as the lowest bidder for its multi-billion fighter jet deal, beating out the Eurofighter Typhoon.

In April India had already rejected the bids of two American fighters jets along with that of the Russians and Swedish.

Hull-Ryde clarified that there has been no offer to sell F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) to India.

"Should India indicate interest in purchasing the JSF, the United States would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and its requirements (infrastructure, security, etc) to support India's future planning," she said.

F16, F18s would have provided India unbeatable platforms: US - Indian Express

 

[KRAIT]

But they would have come with strings attached, and very less ToT which we needed to increase capabilities of our domestic industry.

 

[notsuperstitious]

In terms of mature and battle proven platforms, sure the American were the best, but not at sharing tech.

They are also at the end of their lifecycle.

But most importantly, Thank you Pakistan, for helping us make the best choice!

 

[livingdead]

when US sells. they treat buyers as if they are doing favour by selling their military hardware.
I dont think there would be much room for bargaining.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Lets me quote you some similar articles.

(Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department on Tuesday repeated its willingness to share information about the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet if the Indian government expressed interest in buying the stealthy new, multinational fighter plane.

Indian and French sources on Tuesday said the Rafale fighter, built by France's Dassault Aviation, had beaten out the Eurofighter Typhoon as India's preferred bidder in a $15 billion competition to build 126 warplanes.

India rejected American, Russian and Swedish bids in April, but a source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters on Tuesday that India was considering buying an additional 80 jets and could open that process to bidders from those countries.

Pentagon spokeswoman Leslie Hull-Ryde said there had been no U.S. offer to sell India the stealthy Lockheed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but Washington would provide data on the jet's infrastructure and security requirements if India wanted.

"Should India indicate interest in purchasing the JSF, the United States would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and its requirements to support India's future planning," she said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

The statement reiterated the Pentagon's position, as stated in a report to Congress on U.S.-India security cooperation late last year, and underscored at the time by Robert Scher, deputy assistant secretary of defense for South Asia.

"The F-35 is something that we would be more than willing to talk to the government of India about should they request to find out more information about purchasing it," he said then.

The F-35 is the Pentagon's costliest weapons procurement program. The radar-evading aircraft is being developed with eight international partners, and officials estimate it will cost $382 billion for 2,443 of the jets for the U.S. military.

Lockheed and key subcontractors on the program are looking to increased foreign orders to help offset U.S. plans to scale back procurement of the F-35 for a third time in three years.

New Delhi rejected two older U.S. aircraft - the F-16, also built by Lockheed, and the F/A-18, built by Boeing Co - in a bidding contest in April for the contract that will now be negotiated with Dassault.

Rob Stallard, defense analyst for RBC Capital, said finalizing a deal with India for F-35 sales could be difficult, even if the Indian government was interested.

India generally required foreign contractors to involve their local industry, a demand that could raise hackles in security-conscious Washington, Stallard said.

Sales of the advanced, next-generation F-35 fighter to India could also run into some resistance from U.S. lawmakers, said one Senate aide.

U.S. again says it would provide F-35 data to India | Reuters

 

[Jade]

Whatever Hull-Ryde says, LM would be more than happy to sell F-35

Anyway, there would a new tender for 80 more jet fighters and LM would be invited for RFP, and considering the fate of F 16 and F 18, LM would certainly field F35. Who knows F35 could be the winner.

 

[newdelhinsa]

USA is too big for us to dictate terms like a typical buyer would do on many issues like on desired weapon systems, ToT, offset clauses, linking with INSS or GLONASS for C4 CDL, future upgrades.

Also arrogance/ego of USA bureaucrats can outrun Indian bureaucrat's ego and arrogance any given day so I think there is less comfort we have with Americans at present (my wild guess).

India do not have leverage on USA to have a say if they would simply refuse us to cater our concerns.

BTW F18 is formidable war machine.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Whatever Hull-Ryde says, LM would be more than happy to sell F-35

Anyway, there would a new tender for 80 more jet fighters and LM would be invited for RFP, and considering the fate of F 16 and F 18, LM would certainly field F35. Who knows F35 could be the winner.

Next fighter for second MRCA will be from US.

Confirmed!

 

[KRAIT]

Next fighter for second MRCA will be from US.

Confirmed!

Source????

 

[notsuperstitious]

What is second MRCA? You guys are scaring me.

 

[Windjammer]

In terms of mature and battle proven platforms, sure the American were the best, but not at sharing tech.

They are also at the end of their lifecycle.

But most importantly, Thank you Pakistan, for helping us make the best choice!

Albeit, one is convinced that Indian psyche revolves around Pakistan, but this claim takes the biscuit.
Unlike India, Pakistan never makes a song and dance on Indian defence purchases.

 

[KRAIT]

What is second MRCA? You guys are scaring me.

Additional buy of 80 aircrafts which would be bought separately. India can take Rafale or Eurofighter, or any other that shows interest in it.

 

[Zabaniyah]

In terms of mature and battle proven platforms, sure the American were the best, but not at sharing tech.

They are also at the end of their lifecycle.

But most importantly, Thank you Pakistan, for helping us make the best choice!

The Super Hornet would be around for a long time, and it will not be replaced by the F-35 in the USN.

 

[notsuperstitious]

Albeit, one is convinced that Indian psyche revolves around Pakistan, but this claim takes the biscuit.
Unlike India, Pakistan never makes a song and dance on Indian defence purchases.

I'm talking about Pakistan's experience with F16 and sanctions. We do not want THAT kind of relationship with the US

And easy with the lies, forget purchases, even for Arihant - an Indian development we saw enough rona dhona.

 

[Skull and Bones]

What is second MRCA? You guys are scaring me.

Mig-21s will be retired sooner than you can imagine, along with some Mig-27s and Jaguars. So IAF will issue another order for 80 fighter jets excluding Dassault. F-35 will be a new entrant, its evident from recent US response.