It will broaden India's capability to provide humanitarian assistance
The United States on Tuesday welcomed reports of the sale of 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to the Indian Air Force, stating that the acquisition will significantly boost the IAF heavy transport capabilities.
On Monday, India cleared the purchase of these heavy-lift transport aircraft at a cost of Rs.18,000 crore (approximately $4.1 billion).
“This sale captures the mutual benefits of the U.S. – India global partnership. For India, the sale adds strategic and humanitarian muscle to its defence needs. The sale grows and sustains 23,000 jobs in America. For both countries, the sale will further strengthen the strategic ties between the U.S. and Indian armed forces, leading to enhanced cooperation for a safer and more secure region and world,” U.S. Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer said in a statement issued here.
The aircraft, he said, would broaden India's capability to provide humanitarian assistance to people devastated by natural disasters; to deploy peacekeeping troops around the world to secure peace in dangerous areas; and to evacuate its citizens and others from areas of civil strife anywhere in the world. “This is indicative of the growing military and humanitarian ties between our two democracies,” Mr. Roemer said.
“From joint training exercises to defence sales and ship visits, the United States remains committed to sharing expertise and cutting-edge technology with India, and in a way that both countries draw economic benefits. India is a leader in maintaining regional stability in South Asia, and a partner in promoting peace and economic growth,'' the statement said, adding that besides supporting jobs in the U.S., more than 600 suppliers located in 44 States in America would benefit from the sale.
The American response came a month after Washington expressed deep disappointment after two of its companies – Boeing and Lockheed Martin – got knocked out of the race for Rs.45,000 crore (approx $10.2 billion) deal for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft for the IAF.
Keywords: Boeing C17, military aircraft
The C-17s will give a strategic edge to the IAF, as it should see it self like an assertive force to bring world order and peace. It already does have the Il76 and a new report says it now has the upgrded version of the ILs-76. But if there were a large humanitarian crisis or air lifting of our citizens located all over the world then these air crafts will play a pivitol role. Also on an offensive level, if a war broke out between Europe and India, India should be able to destroy their forces!
Finally India started providing jobs to the C-17 Assembly lines, which were forced to shut shop & job cuts due to no demend. But really do we need these aircrafts at a whopping $4Bn, when we actually dont have such a high load capacity needed, as we have 1. created 7 Commands, which are capable for Troops & Logistics movement. 2. Never attacked a soverign country like IRAQ & expanded our supply lines so long that it need to drop a Fighting Brigade, 3. A range of 4000Km without refuelling, but our DIVISION strength lies just 200Km from our enemy. 4. Cheaper and reliable options like IL 76 are already in service (26 pieces)with Airforce. So net net we never need them for strategic purposes. This is supine foreign policy of Manmohan Singh Govt, which has melted down on economic arm-twisting of restricting VISA to Skilled Labour for work permit in US. Darn, we are already paying in terms of accepting NUCLEAR PLANT deal with ZERO LIABILITY towards US Firms, what else do they need?
Please Email the Editor