Admiral Harry Harris, the chief of the US Pacific Command (USPACOM), is publicly supporting the sale of the advanced F-35 stealth fighter to India, according to a report in India-based StratPost, a website dedicated to South Asian defense and strategic affairs.
StratPost says it’s the first public statement made by a top US official, either civilian or military, on a possible Indian order for the F-35, which is already being sold to Japan and South Korea. Harris, who is known for a hawkish stance on defense issues, has been nominated to be the next US ambassador to Australia.
“At the moment, India is considering a number of US systems for purchase, all of which USPACOM fully supports: the F-16 for India’s large single-engine, multi-role fighter acquisition program; the F/A-18E for India’s multi-engine, carrier-based fighter purchase; a reorder of 12-15 P-8Is; a potential purchase of SeaGuardian UAS; MH-60R multi-role sea-based helicopter; and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,” StratPost quoted Harris as saying in a hearing held by the US House Armed Services Committee last month.
The US and India have been discussing expanded defense cooperation under a new Indo-Pacific strategy as a counterweight to China’s ambitions in the region. But StartPost noted the “reference to a sale of the fifth generation F-35 has never been made before by any US government official and represents a shift in their willingness to bring it up for discussion with India.”
Richard Truong did u see the question mark?
Ha….ha…lol…
Richard Truong is that why China is buying arms from Russia? Easy corrupt cash?
Friends rise of China as new superpower is inevitable we also know from history that any prevailing power which tries to subdue a rising power has escalated into war.
India has already opted for SU57. Spent some US $330 million on R&D for India specific version. It will soon start work on AMCA probably with french assistance in near future.
It needs USA for getting engines for it’s Tejas mk1 and mk2. It needs LM2500 gas turbines for it’s frigates and destroyers. And some other items but F35 is not in the list. MOD India said that it is not looking for F35. These are fake planted stories.
More over IAF urgently needs more Rafales and su30mkis not F35. F35 and it’s infrastructure buyup will break India budgetary back. Not prudent.
Instead of the F-35, India should focus perhaps on providing 35,000,000 toilets for its people who badly need better sanitation.
Frustrated Americans can do anything to save face in Afghanistan, label a non threat like China as a threat and create a proxy state to disturb it & finally block as much as sea routes to harm the russian & Chinese economy. CIA’s civilian version is running USA atm
Very good business idea.
LOL. At the end its trade that matter.
So true. Harris is a nut case.