A case of sour grapes from a laggard?
I have absolutely zero intentions to hurt or insult China, absolutely none. I have deep and profound respect for China, as a culture and civilization. My question, at no point, tried insinuating any kind of ill feelings.
Yes, India is way ahead of China, no doubt about that. But, you will also agree that China itself is, still, quite some distance from top manufacturers and the top end technology. No doubt the gap is decreasing, rather, at a very fast rate. Yet, still, ARJ 21 is among initial jet for China and also a platform to leap forward. Hence, quite understandably, China wants to promote their use. And here comes the idea to give many kinds of incentives to give away these planes.
China has done this a lot with Xian MA 60. With many countries, it has given away these planes for free, often both for promoting these planes, and also to get influence and good will from small countries.
Examples:
1. Tonga -
Plane provided for free.
(I can't put the links because being a new member, I can't)
2. Nepal
As I remember, (I may be wrong), 1 or 2 plane were given for free here as well.
Similarly for many countries. If you are not satisfied, I can cite many many more examples.
I am a new member here, and hence I want to reiterate again here, given the tense and unfortunate relationship I have witnessed between Indians and Chinese here, that, I have deep and profound respect for China. It's history, and the sheer resilience of its people. I am not the military kind. I am primarily a technology guy, who happens to be an amateur Sinologist, who loves India deeply, who wants genuinely a good relationship b/w these two great countries and civilizations.
