India always goes for the Best.

[rkjindal91]

India's consolation prize to US May 18, 2011, 03.22am IST TNN [ Josy Joseph ] NEW DELHI: The
government is moving
swiftly to mollify the
American establishment
that is deeply upset over
rejection of both their fighter aircraft from the
$10 billion MMRCA (medium
multirole combat aircraft)
contract for the Indian Air
Force. Among the steps
being taken is a decision to significantly increase the
order for C-17 Globemaster- III strategic airlift aircraft from Boeing
from the present projection of 10. TOI had
first reported about the C-17 deal on May
13. Besides, the Army is moving quickly to
conclude a $1 billion purchase of ultra
light howitzer guns in a couple of months.
An Army quality assurance team is in the
US for final leg of assessments. Sources said the American side has been
told about India’s interest to continue with FMS (foreign military sales)
government-to-government deals as well
as the decision to look at “significantly larger” order for C-17 aircraft. “Ultimately, the total C-17 purchase could be very close to the MMRCA deal,” a source said. He said the Americans were “told” at various levels about India’s desire to look at purchasing five to seven more C-17
aircraft. If India were to buy seven more
C-17s, then the total deal value would be
well over $7 billion. Already, the IAF has a
purchase order for 10 of these aircraft. The MMRCA contract for 126 fighters in
which both Boeing’s F-18 and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 were rejected a few days ago is worth approximately $10 billion. The Cabinet Committee on Security is
expected to approve IAF’s original projection for 10 of these transport
aircraft, pegged at over $4 billion. The
proposed five-to-seven more aircraft
“would be approved over the next few months”, sources said. Work on increasing the C-17 order is already
underway. Among the security agencies
set to acquire the massive military
aircraft is Aviation Research Centre, the
external intelligence agency RAW’s aviation arm. Given its capability to
airdrop over 100 commandos, C-17s
would also be acquired for improving
Special Forces capabilities outside of the
military, sources said. Meanwhile, the Army has dispatched a
team to the US to carry out quality
assurance assessments of maintenance
and other technical specifications of
M777, the ultra light howitzers
manufactured by BAE Systems US and which is proposed to be acquired for
deployment in mountains. Once the team returns, “it wouldn’t take much time to conclude the deal”, sources said, adding that a June-end deadline
was being looked at. He also hinted that
this order too could go up, now that the
government is expected to approve
Army’s recommendation to raise a dedicated mountain strike corps for China
border.

 

[rkjindal91]

India selected Typhoon/Rafale coz they were best, India chose C-17 coz they are best. Increasing no. of C-17 to be bought depends upon strategic needs. Why the hell the media is terming is as a consolation prize to stablize Indo-US relations?? No relations can survive on buyer-seller terms. Strong relations occur on basis of mutual trust, co-operation, understanding and support. Whether its b/w two persons or two nations.

 

[angeldemon_007]

I still think its not a wise decision. These aircrafts are way too expensive for us. 10 is enough and we should concentrate more on C130j. For RAW also its more suitable rather than C17 which is way too expensive...

US is finally going to be happy this year after all...
1) C17
2)C130j follow on order
3)P8i follow on order
4)22 attack choppers
5)145 M777 light howitzers
6)Javelin ATGM (not sure)

All the above deals belongs to US companies and are most likely to be signed this year....

 

[rkjindal91]

^^^There can no comparision b/w C-130J and C-17. Both are way different from each other.

 

[sivadreams]

I still think its not a wise decision. These aircrafts are way too expensive for us. 10 is enough and we should concentrate more on C130j. For RAW also its more suitable rather than C17 which is way too expensive...

.

If you could substantiate why C130J over C17 apart from the cost factor that will be helpful.