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Business Standard, 15th Feb 18 q% q0 }0 _3 x3 u8 z, Q+ r
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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.
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$ S2 L. j: S' d4 ABusiness 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.! j8 S0 q% F, t/ y# x
& T d: p. l" Q: f8 zThe 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.9 Z; l/ M3 Q4 _( ?0 Y d! R2 v
7 q* {* ]( v% A1 ? wIt is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A1 H7 u% K) W; C: _% s7 A$ E" p
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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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( J- ?2 p U8 B) wSources 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." M- o' E% b3 Y7 l( D6 t! ]
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Senior 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.# r& N1 T! ]/ l
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