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Business Standard, 15th Feb 18- v2 j: M+ x6 x. I, Y
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In what would be a huge capability jump, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is increasingly interested in procuring the American F-35 Lightning II for its depleting fighter fleet.
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Business Standard learns the IAF top brass is formally requesting for a classified briefing by the F-35’s prime builder, Lockheed Martin, on the capabilities of the sophisticated, fifth-generation fighter developed under the US Joint Strike Fighter programme.( C( }- a( @& g. O% ?, \9 W
1 G% Q$ O4 C4 j- }* @6 |. i# \The US government has not formally offered the F-35 to India. A classified briefing would require formal clearance from the US Department of Defence (the Pentagon) and the State Department. The grant of such a clearance would be an important first step towards permitting the sale of F-35s to India.0 \, F3 k! T7 y0 C8 O
5 Y/ C8 B9 A$ g6 D2 ?- AIt is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A9 s" |- j! ~# l# v9 p: h
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The F-35’s affordability is also attractive for New Delhi. In contrast to the bare-bones price of $115 million for each Rafale fighter (with India-specific enhancements, spares, logistics and weapons all extra), the F-35A cost customers $94.6 million last February. Lockheed Martin says it will reduce the cost to $80 million by 2020.% r8 s# z( D2 A8 j4 Q! n# ^- }
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7 G5 Y9 i ]! Z6 ]$ bSources close to the Pentagon say India would not be sold the F-35 as long as it is partnering Russia in the FGFA co-development project. That is because Washington would guard against the leakage of F-35 technology into the FGFA.' j8 K5 G5 F$ Q& ]8 ~- n, A5 b
: A, ?: O2 W' d3 A, E( ^% M: \3 U; CSenior officers say the IAF is not enthused about the FGFA project. They point out the F-35 is further advanced in development and has already entered service with the USAF and six-seven air forces of American allies.2 E' @# }1 X) ]. m5 I$ A3 D5 n
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