India rejects US jets for MMRCA deal

[Rajahindustani]

India has rejected both US jets (F-16 IN and F-18) from the MMRCA competition.
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=14686
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1818550.ece
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/south/rafale-typhoon-score-merit-126
http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2011/04/reports-that-india-has-dropped-f-16-from-fighter-competition.html
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/us-russian-jets-lose-iaf-deal/1/136508.html
http://blogs.rediff.com/mkbhadrakumar/2011/04/28/akantony-gains-sainthood/
http://frontierindia.net/buying-fighter-aircraft-is-not-a-part-of-strategic-partnership

India has short listed the French built Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon for the MMRCA. The contract could be close to $11 billion.
This is a great decision by the government of India. GOI went with the list of stipulations as required by Indian Air Force and did not let lobbying or any other pressures influence the process.
USA has consistently propped up Pakistan and supplied them F-16 and billions of dollars worth of aid which is primarily used against India. BTW this is a very smart move. India has already awarded work for FGFA to Russia (for a deal of $30 billion) and by not choosing US jets has assuaged China that it will not be a poodle for America.
Ambassador Roemar has also resigned yesterday and is leaving back for US. So much for the so called ?strategic partnership? between India and US.
India has always acted in its own national interest. With these European companies India will also get help for developing the indigenous Kaveri engine. India bureaucracy needs to be applauded for a very well thought out decision.:thup:
Rajahindustani

[sophisticuss]

I want to see technical reasons for this decisions. I want to see why F-16/18 is inferior to these Europen products ...
Did US hold back any components ? Did Indian honchos think that their part supply be subjected to political pressure from US congress ?

Till that time , like any other transactions , it would be safe to assume corruption played a part in this.
I personally think US transactions are much transparent than European ones.
Also Europe holds these trillions of black money from Indian bureaucrats / politicians. May be they were held ransom.

[moneyIsNot_funny]

If bureaucrats behaved better, its only due to the effect of the multiple scams. They never have good intentions in their mind.

[oasis138]

I want to see technical reasons for this decisions. I want to see why F-16/18 is inferior to these Europen products ...
Did US hold back any components ? Did Indian honchos think that their part supply be subjected to political pressure from US congress ?

Till that time , like any other transactions , it would be safe to assume corruption played a part in this.
I personally think US transactions are much transparent than European ones.
Also Europe holds these trillions of black money from Indian bureaucrats / politicians. May be they were held ransom.

Simple reason - Cannot trust the US to supply parts when India might most need it...look at what they have done with the Pak f-16 arsenal (and im not talking about this today when relations between them are bad but like 5-7 years back) where they have held parts and replacements back to an extent that only a 1/3rd of their f-16 arsenal is truly operational....

sure f-16 might be the best deal out there but what's the use if you cant fly them when you need it most...

[moneyIsNot_funny]

Simple reason - Cannot trust the US to supply parts when India might most need it...look at what they have done with the Pak f-16 arsenal (and im not talking about this today when relations between them are bad but like 5-7 years back) where they have held parts and replacements back to an extent that only a 1/3rd of their f-16 arsenal is truly operational....

sure f-16 might be the best deal out there but what's the use if you cant fly them when you need it most...

Exactly - the countries of the world are wising up to the US's tactics of withholding stuff, while they themselves chant "either you are with us or against us" or spread rumors when they want to start a war themselves. European countries are more reluctant to withold stuff - and France did not impose any sanctions after the Pokhran II tests.

[oasis138]

Exactly - the countries of the world are wising up to the US's tactics of withholding stuff, while they themselves chant "either you are with us or against us" or spread rumors when they want to start a war themselves. European countries are more reluctant to withold stuff - and France did not impose any sanctions after the Pokhran II tests.

sad but true....as much as the US touts its leadership and role in the world.....people will always look at it in awe but also cynicism about its true intentions.

[R2I-2010]

People who think decision could have been taken based on technical superiority, assurances of supply, holding somebody ransom, transparancy etc are nice people. They do not know the only criteria for such large deals in India is who pays the most bribe.

[oasis138]

People who think decision could have been taken based on technical superiority, assurances of supply, holding somebody ranson, transparancy etc are nice people. They do not know the only criteria for such large deals in India are who pays the most bribe.

I am sure it is a factor too but if that was the only criteria US would win hands down....who can possibly pay more than them.

[R2I-2010]

I am sure it is a factor too but if that was the only criteria US would win hands down....who can possibly pay more than them.

May be pea brain Indian Politicians do not believe in USD anymore.... :-)

[oasis138]

May be pea brain Indian Politicians do not believe in USD anymore.... :-)

possible...they in my opinion are the most astute of investors.