TA的每日心情 | 奋斗 2025-12-15 22:08 |
|---|
签到天数: 2119 天 [LV.Master]无
|
Business Standard, 15th Feb 18
s$ g" ]2 d2 R) G3 z0 F0 w& Y f: K& k& V
In 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.; s- @/ Q% n/ B x
" L- L- z3 S% m8 m. m6 }, w
Business 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.. K. ?( J' N# A/ v
, N) y7 I/ C6 b( |% E% x7 I
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.& N9 F6 B/ E' J4 q+ u7 B& b3 m
8 t+ g' n6 p& Z; u+ D/ o2 V2 M
It is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A+ a' O. n. A" S- {& s
..... ~9 e9 v; `( B1 J" M
The 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 $80 million by 2020.
@- i* t* W1 K8 G- X....% ` `( K2 Y/ ]/ Y7 l4 I* b
Sources close to the Pentagon say India would not be sold the F-35 as long as it is partnering Russia in the FGFA co-development project. That is because Washington would guard against the leakage of F-35 technology into the FGFA.7 S) n" E. t& c D9 r
" D8 R! h7 o+ k: o, _
Senior officers say the IAF is not enthused about the FGFA project. They point out the F-35 is further advanced in development and has already entered service with the USAF and six-seven air forces of American allies.
1 K% O* T7 G3 `1 c+ l: Z+ F$ X& j- O2 ^& }7 A. ?! Q/ j$ s
  
1 S+ F9 y0 M+ e7 K5 Z" Y; _2 {3 u( {: G |
|