U.S. backs sale of fighters to India: |ForumIAS

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Context

Trump Administration (or, United States) has supported the sale of F-18 and F-16 fighter planes to India.

What is the issue?

Trump is in principle against companies relocating facilities abroad.
S. lawmakers have been enthusiastic supporters of proposals to sell these fighters to India.
They are now presenting them as deals that could reduce America’s trade deficit with India and create more jobs in America than they relocate.
There is strategic significance. Defense cooperation with India is vital to U.S. interests because they need India to be a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.
America also needs to do more to reduce the deficit.

More details:

F-16 and Gripen, built by Swedish company Saab, are competing for the proposed single engine fighter acquisition for the IAF.
French Rafale and Boeing’s F/A-18 are competing for the contract for the Navy’s twin engine fleet for its aircraft carriers.
Lockheed Martin and Tata have formed a joint venture to make F-16, while Saab announced a JV with the Adani for Gripen.