U.S. to make initial shipment of 2 F-16's to Pakistan
Link: http://www.india-defence.com/reports/124
Agency: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration has approved an initial shipment to Pakistan of two F-16 fighter jets, a down payment on what is expected to be a larger sale of newer U.S. fighters over Indian objections, congressional sources briefed on the plan said on Friday.

The decision to initially provide Pakistan, a war on terrorism ally, with two older but refurbished F-16s comes less than two weeks after President Bush reversed long-standing U.S. policy by promising to help India, Pakistan's nuclear rival, develop its civilian nuclear power sector.

India had expressed concern to Washington about its proposed sale of F-16s to Pakistan.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars and were on the brink of another in 2002.

One congressional source said of the timing of the decision, "They (Bush administration officials) didn't want to start moving F-16s to Pakistan until after the Indian prime minister had come and gone."

Read the complete story: U.S. to make initial shipment of 2 F-16's to Pakistan

India is also looking to buy new fighters. It has requested bids to buy 125
aircraft either F-16, MiG-29K or the Mrage 2005-5. My guess is that that they will go with the Mirage. Why?

F-16 Block 70, India has no US aircraft in its current arsenal switching to US technology provides logisitical problems. Of course if Lockheed throws in the full standization package that might make it more sweet.

MiG-35, India was dissatisfied with the earlier versions of the Mig-29 and they junked the Sukoi SU-30 deal (bad engines) which means there less dependent on Russian aircraft. Its the newest of the designs, and uses vector thrust technology, but India is rather annoyed with Russia.

Mirage-2000-5. India already uses the Mirage-2000C and have been very pleased with its performance. It terms of logistics its the easiest jump.

Hi,

MiG-35, India was dissatisfied with the earlier versions of the Mig-29 and they junked the Sukoi SU-30 deal (bad engines) which means there less dependent on Russian aircraft. Its the newest of the designs, and uses vector thrust technology, but India is rather annoyed with Russia.

India has to Buy Mig29K / KUB that comes with the Aircraft Carrer INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) that russia is giving India at a very nominal Price ......Twelve single-seat MiG-29K and four dual-seat MiG-29KUB variants were ordered for operation from the decks of INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) ........ first precindition is that India has to buy all the Mig29K on board so i am not sure what Mig 29 deal you are talking about .

Recent dvelopments and USA trying to Aggrecively sell F-16 and F/A-18 Super Hornets to India so Russia had to Feild somethig Strong so they feilded the Mig 35 for the 126 MRCA that India need.......... Until recently before this offer Mirage wwas the front runner buy Mig 35 is a very Strong ontender as well and it could change the whole scenerio............ i am not aware of any Junked SU30 deal as well ..........

SU 30 MKI are one of the best Aircraft that India has in it's inventory ............... A total of 40 aircraft ordered from IAPO (Russia) and subsequent manufacture of 140 more by HAL in India. 18 Sukhoi-30MK/K variants initially supplied will go back to Russia for upgrading. Deliveries of the 40 Sukhoi-30MKI variants have been completed. Three operational Squadrons, No.20 Lightnings, No.24 Hunting Hawks and No.30 Rhinos are operating the type. First two HAL built versions were handed over to the Indian Air Force on March 21, 2005.

Four plus five Kamov-31 (Kamov-29RLD) AEW helicopters, estimated at US $207 million were ordered and joined the Indian Navy fleet.

Six Illyushin-78MKI in-flight refuelling tankers have joined the Indian Air Force fleet equipping Squadron No.78

These are only some of the many Current deals between India and Russia

So i am not Sure about your statement that India is Annoyed with Russia.........

Peace
-=SF_13=-

Sorry Wrong word,

I should have said 'disappointed' not 'annoyed'. I wasnt refering to the Naval Mig-29K but the early batch of IAF MiG-29B, that was initially bought some years ago. The IAF was disspointed by their performance. The IAF then purchased the SU-30 but there were defects found in several of the engines which caused them to stop purchasing the aircraft.

Hi,

Yes IAF MiG-29s have had their share of technical problems, since its induction in 1986 ............. In 1994, a joint aviation venture was set up named the Indo-Russian Aviation Private Ltd. to maintain maintenance , support and rectify the problems and the technical problems were rectified to a satisfactory level............. In June 1998, HAL delivered the first fully rebuilt and upgraded MiG-29 to the Indian Air Force.

Second About the Row about Sukhoi-30 MK-1 fighters which was grounded following detection of "nicks'' in the engine blades.......... The Indian Air Force wanted the defective parts replaced free of cost but the manufacturers are reluctant because the warranty period has expired......... it was the problem with SU30MK-1 ...... Engine not SU 30 MKI ........... Russia Promised to Upgrade all SU30MK-1 Planes to SU30MKI standard.......... So the Production of SU 30 MKI continues.



Peace
-=SF_13=-