- Title: U.S. reiterates its F-18 Super Hornets offer to Indian Navy
- Date: 18th December 2019
- Summary: HYDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA (DECEMBER 18, 2019) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** U.S.-INDIA DEFENSE TIES CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS U.S. CONSUL GENERAL, HYDERABAD, JOEL REIFMAN (SECOND FROM RIGHT) AND DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY BUREAU OF POLITICAL-MILITARY AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, JOEL STARR (RIGHT) SEATED WITH OTHER GUESTS REPORTERS AND DIGNITARIES REIFMAN SEATED WITH OTHERS IN A PANEL DISCUSSION REPORTERS AND DIGNITARIES (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY BUREAU OF POLITICAL-MILITARY AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, JOEL STARR, SAYING: "For the fighter competition, the United States will offer some of the best technology widely employed by our Navy and Air Force - the F-18 Super Hornet, the F-21, which is tailored by the Indian Air Force. The U.S. fighter aircraft would bolster India's defence capabilities, expand its defence industrial base, and position it as a supplier in the global defence sales ecosystem, shared by our network of allies and partners." REPORTERS AND DIGNITARIES SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY BUREAU OF POLITICAL-MILITARY AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, JOEL STARR, SAYING: "The trade also makes Indian military forces more capable partners, which is why as India restructures its forces, we want to continue to offer the highest quality most dependable and most technologically advanced products on the market to India. U.S. borne military sales yields significant benefits to both India's national security and American and Indian workers." REPORTERS EVENT IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 1st January 2020 10:56
- Keywords: Air Force F/A 18 Super Hornet F21 Hyderabad India Navy USA conference defence
- Location: HYDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA
- City: HYDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Defence,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001BAI5OB3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Joel Starr reiterated his country's offer for the third time for providing the Indian Navy with F/A-18E Super Hornet on Wednesday (December 18).
Starr was speaking at the two-day U.S.-India Defense Ties Conference in southern Hyderabad city, which began on Wednesday.
The U.S. has offered the twin-engine, multi-role aircraft for Indian Naval aircraft carriers, concerned about the rise of Chinese powers on the grounds of 'commonality of platforms'.
However, India has not responded to the American offers yet. Indian aircraft carriers are currently equipped with Russian MiG-29s.
Lockheed Martin has also been offering its F-21 fighter jets to the Indian Air Force, which, the American company says, is an upgrade of its old F-16 fighters, more suited to Indian needs.
India-U.S. defence trade currently stands at nearly $17-18 billion, said U.S. Consul General, Hyderabad, Joel Reifman, at the conference. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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