U.S. backs sale of fighters to India:

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.