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