TA的每日心情 | 奋斗 2024-9-10 21:08 |
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Business Standard, 15th Feb 18( q1 \- K: c/ {9 x
# ^ q5 E' _ q `. L2 C! KIn 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.+ q2 J9 V) `/ }( t
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Business 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.
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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., Z. Q' G) A' f. O3 |& K
5 J, ], U( I, L Z0 e# ^, qIt is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A
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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 2020.6 \) p! X0 K5 E# C: f4 L8 [
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! m# z% ? s) x; |9 G% f: gSources 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.; O, V, u9 B( a2 m( }& z% s
1 ^5 R& y& }3 z+ i; XSenior 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.: }) ~, W# U& w
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