|
"The US F-16 and F-18 competed, but were
not down-selected, in the Medium Multi-Role Combat
Aircraft (MMRCA) competition in April 2011,"
the US defence department says in a report to
the US Congress on US-India Security Cooperation.
"Despite this setback, we believe US aircraft,
such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), to be
the best in the world," said the Pentagon
report prepared in response to a request from
the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee on
a five-year action plan to strengthen bilateral
defence relations.
"Should India indicate interest in the JSF,
the United States would be prepared to provide
information on the JSF and its requirements (infrastructure,
security, etc.) to support India's future planning."
India has demonstrated its interest in upgrading
its inventory of fighter aircraft, the report
said recently, noting "It intends to purchase
126 medium multi-role combat aircraft and is working
with Russia on the development of the Sukhoi/HAL
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA).
 The
Department of Defence, along with the Departments
of State and Commerce, will advocate for US solutions
to Indian defence needs, it said. "We recognize
that India is also seeking to build its own indigenous
defence industry, and is looking for the best
technologies to use in its defence sector.
"The United States wants to develop deeper
defence industrial cooperation with India, including
a range of cooperative research and development
activities," it said asserting, "The
United States is committed to providing India
with top-of-the-line technology."
The Department of Defence is continually looking
for ways to expand defence cooperation with India,
the report said. "We are seeking opportunities
for increased science and technology cooperation
that may lead to co-development opportunities
with India as a partner."
"The United States has taken many steps
in recent years to facilitate science and technology
and research and development cooperation with
India," the report said.
"In so doing, we have signalled our unambiguous
intent to pursue cooperative opportunities on
increasingly sophisticated systems," it said
suggesting, "As our relationship continues
to mature, we expect co-development of armaments
to become a reality."
Over the next five years, the United States "will
continue to establish itself as a reliable defence
supplier to India and look for opportunities to
enable further training and exchanges between
our militaries as India continues its military
modernization," the report said.
(IANS)
|
