US keen on developing new weapons with India
Foreseeing India as a major military partner in the long-run, the United States on Wednesday
said it was working to transfer some of its most advanced technology to New Delhi and offering co-development of weapon systems, including on the futuristic Joint Strike Fighter.
In a one-of-its kind report on India submitted to the US Congress, the Pentagon said it was also pursuing new avenues of collaboration in maritime security and counter-terrorism.
Envisaging building up of "robust" and "mutually beneficial" defence ties over the next five years, the report said that it is in US interest to support India's rise through military-to-military ties, arms sales and joint exercises
The sales include C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft, TPQ-37 fire-finding radars, Self-Protection Suites (SPS) for VVIP aircraft, specialised tactical equipment, Harpoon missiles, Sensor-Fuzed Weapons, and carrier flight and test pilot school training
Though the US companies lost in the race for bagging India's lucrative $10 billion contract for 126 jets, the Pentagon informed the Congress that it is seriously interested in making India join in the multi-nation project to develop the stealth F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Keen to develop deeper defence industrial cooperation with India, including a range of cooperative research and development activities, the Pentagon said the US "is committed to providing India with top-of-the-line technology".
The Defence Department also said it is exploring the potential of co-development of military weapons systems with India.
"As our relationship continues to mature we expect co development of armaments to become a reality," it said.
"Despite this setback (on MMRCA deal), we believe US aircraft, such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), to be the best in the world. Should India indicate interest in the JSF, the US would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and its requirements (infrastructure, security, etc) to support India's future planning," the Pentagon informed the Congress.
"Over the next five years, we will continue to build the support structures necessary to ensure the maturation of a robust and mutually beneficial defence relationship with India in the Asia-Pacific and globally," the Pentagon said.
US keen on developing new weapons with India - Rediff.com News