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Business Standard, 15th Feb 18( k+ \) k+ t% F! F: u! Y/ b
7 Q( s* Y( n7 d( ]: zIn 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.) M' q9 o6 U7 Y! A* u/ K, ^
# a/ R, R: c8 W6 G: MBusiness 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.2 m( ]3 b; K$ ?) C) e/ w, g( y
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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.
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* V) K) i; R) S" J6 S8 YIt is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A
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7 b; [$ |) X4 z4 AThe 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 $80 million by 2020.
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9 U% {# e+ S$ X2 Z& q+ SSources 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." f! W# G Z& p4 K- k
; Z+ B* M+ p! t+ f# `4 ]$ _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.. ?8 x0 V7 ^, R2 x8 @/ L) W
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