MRCA, A US foreign policy failure?

[Yusuf]

Though i am in favor or the Super Hornet to win the MRCA, and also hoped that geo political consideration with US preeminence in our region taken into account would have resulted in the GoI choosing the US birds for the MRCA.

That said, I am also now thinking that this could also be viewed as a foreign policy disaster as a whole which can be confirmed by the immediate resignation of the US ambassador to India after the announcement of the MRCA shortlist. Ever since Obama came to power, the first year at least was a disaster for Indo US relations. The US was embroiled in AfPak and Obama had ideas of sharing the world with the Chinese at the expense of all its major allies. Desperate to get out from Af Pak, the US started showering aid like never before and also started the strategic dialog with Pak to discuss how it could shower even more aid and weapons on Pak including the F-16s which is the primary nuclear weapons delivery platform of Pakistan whose use has been threatened more than once by Pakistan against India.
The lack of enthusiasm to support Indian effort in Afghanistan and US intentions of starting back channel deals with Taliban a protege of the ISI would also be in the Indian mind.
End user agreements, CISMOA and host of other agreements were not sorted out even though we have given enough orders to the US in the last 3-4 years for very hi tech weapons systems.

Apart from that the initial cozying up with China at the expense of Indian concerns was a short sighted policy which the US soon realised. But the damage was done.

By rejecting the US planes which was supposed to be a foregone conclusion considering the effort put in by the US including its president, India might have also shown its displeasure at the US ways. Though all of this could be in the realm of speculation and it may not be the case as India has said that the consideration in going for the MRCA is purely technical, but still there is more than enough instance that India can use to show why the SH for the Falcon will not be flying in the Indian skies.

 

[Yusuf]

I think if the deal was finalized during Bush's time or if there was even a republican prez right now, the deal would have gone to the US.

I mean even the nuke deal with the US has not materialized though they initiated it. The onus cannot always be on India. The US has to take a deeper look at some of it's own doing.

 

[SHASH2K2]

/\/\/\ agree with you . Its USA which is to be blamed for this deal not going their way. Apart from doing lip service the have doe nothing to assuage our concerns.

 

[Armand2REP]

Yeah well, IAF made its evaluations with politics out of the picture and they didn't recommend either American plane. They are inferior to their eyes and many others. Rafale has no problem mopping them up in DACTS...

 

[Singh]

Rather than a failure of US foreign policy, it is a failure of Indian foreign policy.

"Similarly, while Krishna Menon committed many mistakes in our defence policy vis-a-vis China, he recognised instinctively that when a country goes for purchase of fighter aircraft and transfer of technology, it is not a mere procurement decision but a geostrategic one. He overrode all objections and decided on the MiG-21 aircraft and thereby established a geostrategic relationship with the Soviet Union which has served the country well ever since."

http://www.business-standard.com/in...-countering-china/s-new-assertiveness/406992/

"India is today a favoured destination for US companies for setting up R&D centres and offshoring manufacture of components and sub-systems to effect cost-reductions. The main advantage India has in coping with China's challenge is that all major powers of the world, including Russia, are prepared to supply India with high-tech weapons and equipment while they have reservations in supplying the same to China. Secondly, India is in a position to make large purchases of equipment, enter into licensed production and co-production arrangements and offer joint R&D collaboration. India is and will be one of the largest arms markets in the world.That gives India an advantage over Pakistan since the latter has to depend on Chinese imports or US equipment obtained on credit or in aid.

There have been three cases of countries getting wholesale transfer of military technology from another country. Soviet Union did so after the Versailles Treaty from Weimar Germany under the Treaty of Rapallo; China got wholesale transfer of defence technology from the Soviets in the 50s during the Sino-Soviet alliance; and, the present transfer of technology from Russia to China. This is supplemented by a large number of former employees of the Soviet defence industry joining the Chinese industry.

India has a long-established defence relationship with Russia. But Russian excellence in defence is today very much less than what it used to be during the Cold War, though it continues to be a leading designer and producer of combat aircraft, naval vessels, including the nuclear submarine, armour and missiles. The US is and will continue to be a leader in all defence equipment production, especially those involving very sophisticated electronic and sensor technologies. The US is now enthusiastic about selling equipment to India. The reservations about the US as a supplier of equipment are wholly misconceived.A country which maintains adequate war reserves cannot be hampered in short-term defence operations which are the most probable ones.

Russian and US equipment will more than match anything that Pakistan or China can hope to procure. All major powers have two lines of production in combat aircraft. So should India, if it is to have an air force which will be an effective non-nuclear deterrent. The NSC should call for a choice of equipment to be purchased on the basis of technology transfer and co-production considerations from the two major sources — the US and Russia — and give a general authorisation to the Ministry of Defence to negotiate acquisition deals and forget the QRs and competitive user trials. That will expedite the acquisition and modernisation process, and will be the most effective way of ensuring India's security."

http://www.businessstandard.com/ind...m-an-ideal-defence-acquisition-policy/389072/

 

[Virendra]

I don't see this making a lot of noise in US. Except may be some diplomats, politicians and big guns in defence circles are disappointed.

Regards,
Virendra

 

[Singh]

I don't see this making a lot of noise in US. Except may be some diplomats, politicians and big guns in defence circles are disappointed.

Regards,
Virendra

It is not a big deal (pun intended) for domestic US consumption.

 

[debasree]

we behave wisely ,not to choose us hardware,as we didnt sign yet vital agreements with them as previously when we buy ac-130& globe totter agreement,thise planes will come without vital kits,and there is a proverb do not put urs all eggs in one basket.