India to ink biggest $2.2 Bn defence deal with U.S.
New Delhi: India is set to sign a $2.2 billion deal, its biggest with the U.S., for eight long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft, even as the Indian Navy chief opposed "intrusiveness" in the use of military hardware the country purchases.
Negotiations for the purchase of the Boeing-P8I LRMR aircraft are in the final stages and are likely to be wrapped up during Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta's visit to the US that began Sunday.
The agreement for the purchase under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route will be signed between the two governments in New Delhi later this year, official sources said.
The P8I, which is based on the Boeing-737 platform, has been specifically developed for the Indian Navy's requirements. The aircraft, which is still in the conception stage, is expected to fly by 2012.
This will be the second big-ticket purchase from the US a year after a $1 billion agreement inked in February for six Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the Indian Army's Special Forces.
Mehta's comments on "intrusiveness" came on the sidelines of an international seminar here Saturday.
IANS
Reader’s comments
Comment 1: What the hell does this mean? What for needs India such a huge aircraft power? Does the government plan to transport thousands of soldiers ..... to where? This deal is hard to understand. Except you think about this old US and Rotschild games? Peace be with you, dear India!
Posted by : Suresh Walter Heilmannn - Monday, April 21, 2008
Posted by : Suresh Walter Heilmannn - Monday, April 21, 2008
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