TA的每日心情 | 奋斗
2024-9-10 21:08 |
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Business Standard, 15th Feb 180 r9 x8 Z3 w. c6 I: n- J2 i4 L0 o
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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.
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F. z! c a' P4 s0 ?& z, {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.0 ?$ _. m8 Z' z7 _2 h9 D
7 W( {9 B6 _/ l; s) t5 zThe 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.8 _; K- ]/ {1 r/ g, a1 M: A
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It is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A5 y9 P7 _+ x4 e6 h) A% D( s
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% U r& e7 [" c& O$ |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 2020.1 ]+ y2 l A0 N7 L- c; N+ c
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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.
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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.2 l/ {* O5 y2 r% c
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发表于 2018-2-19 14:43:05
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