2024-09-14 00:59:29
Washington: America has once again given a big offer of its successful fighter jet F-16 to India. Major General David A. Pifarrio, Deputy Commander of the US Pacific Air Force Fleet, said on Thursday that America is ready to give India the latest version of the F-16 fighter jet. America has made a big deal with Taiwan regarding this F-16 V version. The US Air Force General said that the Indian Air Force will become stronger in the coming times. He said that it is up to the Indian Air Force to decide what it will do with its air defense system. It is believed that he was referring to the S-400 air defense purchased by India from Russia. India has received the offer of F-16 fighter jet from the US government many times before, but India bet on France’s Rafale fighter jet. Let us understand why India is avoiding America’s F-16 jets… According to expert Cherian Samuel of India’s Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, India has never objected to buying these planes from America. Not only this, India had included America’s F-16 and F-18 Super Hornet in the 6 shortlisted planes for its 126 fighter jet deal. This entire deal is to be worth 8.5 billion dollars. Samuel said that there are both advantages and disadvantages of buying fighter jets from America. These very powerful and successful aircraft of America are cheaper than other European aircrafts, but many conditions have been imposed by the US law on their use.
Pakistan connection behind India’s refusal
According to Samuel, apart from this, America has made rules regarding the export of sensitive technology. Due to this, the aircraft offered by America have less capability. He told that America has said that it will ensure that these aircraft go with the latest technology but for this India will have to sign many agreements with America. India is not interested in signing these agreements because many of its provisions hurt India’s strategic autonomy. Such provisions became a problem in the first weapons that India has bought from America, which raised questions on the reliability of American weapons.
According to Samuel, India will have to resolve these issues before buying American fighter jets. Not only this, Pakistan is also a big reason behind India’s reluctance. America has also given F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan and keeps upgrading them from time to time. India has strongly opposed this. India has said that America is giving weapons worth crores of dollars to Pakistan and calling it an anti-terrorism operation. At the same time, most of these American weapons can be used against India. Due to this, Pakistan does not have to spend money to buy weapons. This is fuelling an arms race in the entire South Asia. Only the arms companies of America and Western countries are benefiting from this.