US offers to put sale of F-16, F-18 aircraft on fast track
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, April 22 -- In a bid to bag lucrative deal from India which is seeking 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, the United States has offered to put the sales of its F-16s and F-18s on fast track Government-to-Government basis.
Washington has said the US companies would offer major sops in the form of technology transfer and co-production to India, reports Press Trust of India.
A high level US Defense team led by Lt Gen Jeffrey B. Kohler on Thursday held marathon discussions with the top Indian Air Force officials and submitted detailed technical parameters of the two fighters, the F-16 Fighting Falcons manufactured by Lockheed Martin and Boeing's twin engined upgraded F-18 Super Hornets.
US officials sought to relieve India's fear on sanction by saying "stakes were much higher now and the two sides would have to think twice before precipitating in any such action."
After a round of meetings to submit the Request for Information (RFI), Kohler Director, Defence Security for the Cooperation Agency said that the two US companies had been allowed to bid for Indian purchases and the aviation majors would be offering the most upgraded version of their fighters to India.
He said more detailed presentation would be given by the company officials themselves when they bring their fighters to India for trials.
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::IRNA No.032 22/04/2005 20:58 --End
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