09-15-2008, 06:10 PM
Mudiji,
In the extreme climatic conditions in Leh, and in the national interest one should take lenient view of such matters.In case, the alligations are true given the circumstances, I think a milder action is called for.This will keep the moral of the force fighting fit.
Would welcome your valuable comments. Meanwhile, on a more serious matter here is a report from the Jane's
Quote
The United States is preparing to deliver a USD170 million package of Harpoon anti-ship missiles to India, with the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) timing the announcement of the potential sale to coincide with the start of a four-day visit to Washington, DC, by Indian Minister of Defence A K Antony on 9 September.
"The Government of India has requested a possible sale of 20 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles and four ATM-84L Harpoon Block II exercise missiles," the DSCA announced, adding that the deal could proceed as a Foreign Military Sale.
Antony's trip to Washington, which came after the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) approved a US proposal on 6 September to allow nuclear trade with New Delhi, has fuelled speculation that India will now place further orders for US military equipment and enhance its strategic co-operation with that country.
India is in advanced talks to acquire eight Boeing P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft for an estimated USD2.2 billion, as well as a range of equipment for its special forces (SF) and six additional Lockheed Martin-built C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft.
Washington is also pushing for a US company to be awarded India's USD10 billion contract for 126 multi-role combat fighters. Boeing, with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and Lockheed Martin, with the F-16IN, are competing with Russian and European manufacturers for the deal.
US companies are also bidding to supply 197 light observation helicopters and 22 combat helicopters to the Indian Air Force and the Army Aviation Corps to replace ageing platforms: a contract worth more than USD1.5 billion.
In addition, Antony was expected to finalise negotiations on the long-awaited logistics support agreement - also known as the Access and Cross-Servicing Agreement - that permits the two militaries reciprocal use of facilities for maintenance, servicing, communications, refuelling and medical care.
Other accords awaiting closure include: the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement, which requires US defence equipment purchasers to ensure that equipment they supply to India is compatible with other US systems; and the End-User Verification Agreement, which permits spot checks by the US of its equipment deployed in India.
"The US is seeking closer defence co-operation with India because Delhi's strategic signature is becoming more visible in the Asian region due to its high economic growth and acknowledged military capability," Lieutenant General (rtd) Vijay Kapoor said.
The US, he added, was keen to invest militarily in India, which it believes can emerge as a counterweight to China's growing strength.
Ahead of Antony's visit, US officials hinted that Washington expected a 'payback' for helping India secure a waiver to conduct civil nuclear commerce from the NSG. David Mulford, US ambassador to India, said the civil nuclear relationship between the US and India would have a "knock-on effect" in terms of hi-tech and defence co-operation.
Since 2002 the US has sold India 12 Thales-Raytheon Systems Firefinder artillery-locating radars for USD142.4 million; the refurbished 16,900-ton Austin-class landing platform dock USS Trenton for USD50 million; and six surplus Sikorsky Sea King helicopters for USD39 million.
Earlier in 2008 India agreed a USD962 million deal for six C-130J-30 aircraft in SF configuration.
Unquote
In the extreme climatic conditions in Leh, and in the national interest one should take lenient view of such matters.In case, the alligations are true given the circumstances, I think a milder action is called for.This will keep the moral of the force fighting fit.
Would welcome your valuable comments. Meanwhile, on a more serious matter here is a report from the Jane's
Quote
The United States is preparing to deliver a USD170 million package of Harpoon anti-ship missiles to India, with the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) timing the announcement of the potential sale to coincide with the start of a four-day visit to Washington, DC, by Indian Minister of Defence A K Antony on 9 September.
"The Government of India has requested a possible sale of 20 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles and four ATM-84L Harpoon Block II exercise missiles," the DSCA announced, adding that the deal could proceed as a Foreign Military Sale.
Antony's trip to Washington, which came after the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) approved a US proposal on 6 September to allow nuclear trade with New Delhi, has fuelled speculation that India will now place further orders for US military equipment and enhance its strategic co-operation with that country.
India is in advanced talks to acquire eight Boeing P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft for an estimated USD2.2 billion, as well as a range of equipment for its special forces (SF) and six additional Lockheed Martin-built C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft.
Washington is also pushing for a US company to be awarded India's USD10 billion contract for 126 multi-role combat fighters. Boeing, with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and Lockheed Martin, with the F-16IN, are competing with Russian and European manufacturers for the deal.
US companies are also bidding to supply 197 light observation helicopters and 22 combat helicopters to the Indian Air Force and the Army Aviation Corps to replace ageing platforms: a contract worth more than USD1.5 billion.
In addition, Antony was expected to finalise negotiations on the long-awaited logistics support agreement - also known as the Access and Cross-Servicing Agreement - that permits the two militaries reciprocal use of facilities for maintenance, servicing, communications, refuelling and medical care.
Other accords awaiting closure include: the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement, which requires US defence equipment purchasers to ensure that equipment they supply to India is compatible with other US systems; and the End-User Verification Agreement, which permits spot checks by the US of its equipment deployed in India.
"The US is seeking closer defence co-operation with India because Delhi's strategic signature is becoming more visible in the Asian region due to its high economic growth and acknowledged military capability," Lieutenant General (rtd) Vijay Kapoor said.
The US, he added, was keen to invest militarily in India, which it believes can emerge as a counterweight to China's growing strength.
Ahead of Antony's visit, US officials hinted that Washington expected a 'payback' for helping India secure a waiver to conduct civil nuclear commerce from the NSG. David Mulford, US ambassador to India, said the civil nuclear relationship between the US and India would have a "knock-on effect" in terms of hi-tech and defence co-operation.
Since 2002 the US has sold India 12 Thales-Raytheon Systems Firefinder artillery-locating radars for USD142.4 million; the refurbished 16,900-ton Austin-class landing platform dock USS Trenton for USD50 million; and six surplus Sikorsky Sea King helicopters for USD39 million.
Earlier in 2008 India agreed a USD962 million deal for six C-130J-30 aircraft in SF configuration.
Unquote