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2024-9-10 21:08 |
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Business Standard, 15th Feb 18
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In what would be a huge capability jump, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is increasingly interested in procuring the American F-35 Lightning II for its depleting fighter fleet.0 f% X% Z. _, R8 ~" k0 X
& P" Z( i. A* Y H0 xBusiness Standard learns the IAF top brass is formally requesting for a classified briefing by the F-35’s prime builder, Lockheed Martin, on the capabilities of the sophisticated, fifth-generation fighter developed under the US Joint Strike Fighter programme.# K, Y# V+ a; i( i* o* c
* X; f0 e+ X" G& K9 o/ k3 [- {The US government has not formally offered the F-35 to India. A classified briefing would require formal clearance from the US Department of Defence (the Pentagon) and the State Department. The grant of such a clearance would be an important first step towards permitting the sale of F-35s to India.
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( h- f+ z- f+ y' `It is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A5 j; P' R5 R. i* s: y$ }8 `1 _
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The F-35’s affordability is also attractive for New Delhi. In contrast to the bare-bones price of $115 million for each Rafale fighter (with India-specific enhancements, spares, logistics and weapons all extra), the F-35A cost customers $94.6 million last February. Lockheed Martin says it will reduce the cost to $80 million by 2020.
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Sources close to the Pentagon say India would not be sold the F-35 as long as it is partnering Russia in the FGFA co-development project. That is because Washington would guard against the leakage of F-35 technology into the FGFA.
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1 v0 u" T* C g3 d; H" nSenior officers say the IAF is not enthused about the FGFA project. They point out the F-35 is further advanced in development and has already entered service with the USAF and six-seven air forces of American allies.
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