Japan promotes 'flexible' US-2 sale to India

[Zarvan]

India is looking to procure the ShinMaywa Industries US-2i amphibian aircraft for search-and-rescue duties. Source: Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force
Japan is ready to be flexible with the cost of ShinMaywa Industries' US-2i amphibious search-and-rescue (SAR) aircraft in order to push through a deal to export the platform to India.

Talks between the governments of Japan and India about the sale of the aircraft have been continuing for several years, with the requirement centred on a programme to supply the Indian Navy (IN) with 12 US-2i aircraft. The deal is reportedly worth about USD1.6 billion.

A spokesperson from Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) told IHS Jane's in late September that it would look to respond "flexibly" to India's requirement in a bid to accelerate the sale. This flexibility is understood to apply to not only the cost of the aircraft but also the programme to involve Indian industry in the aircraft's production.

The spokesperson also indicated, however, that the potential programme had stalled until Japan receives greater clarity from New Delhi about the finer details of India's US-2i procurement policy. The IN had previously indicated that it wanted to import two US-2is from ShinMaywa, with the remaining 10 aircraft licence built in India, although the MoD did not confirm this.

The MoD spokesperson said, "On the US-2 Japan and India have agreed to accelerate consideration between both defence authorities.

"[But] in order to move on to stages of discussion on specific conditions of co-operation [the Japan] Ministry of Defense hopes that the Indian side will establish its procurement policy as soon as possible."

The spokesperson added that "after India has determined its procurement policy we would like to flexibly respond to requests from India and make our co-operation concrete".

The export of the US-2i was the subject of government-to-government agreements signed in December 2015. These accords were signed in Tokyo and, according to the Indian government, related to the "transfer of defence equipment and technology" and the "protection of classified military information".

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http://www.janes.com/article/64302/japan-promotes-flexible-us-2-sale-to-india

 

[Echo_419]

Do we even need this thing, invest the money in AMCA & LCA programs

 

[wiseone2]

Do we even need this thing, invest the money in AMCA & LCA programs

at $100 million per aircraft I would say no
but then i am not an expert in naval aviation

 

[Echo_419]

at $100 million per aircraft I would say no
but then i am not an expert in naval aviation

These funds could be better used in the navy itself

 

[ranadd]

Not sure why is IN even entertaining this equipment. Anyone with some sort of insights? We are taking the sea kings right?

 

[Papa Dragon]

I don't see a purpose for this deal with the aircraft being too expensive with 100 mil a pop. I guess India is interested in this deal just to please Japan and gain a strategic partner. This money could rather be used in developing and enhancing Naval LCA

 

[Carbonated]

Could be prove very important in sir creek area where India and Pakistan both not agreed on border.

 

[Abingdonboy]

India is looking to procure the ShinMaywa Industries US-2i amphibian aircraft for search-and-rescue duties. Source: Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force
Japan is ready to be flexible with the cost of ShinMaywa Industries' US-2i amphibious search-and-rescue (SAR) aircraft in order to push through a deal to export the platform to India.

Talks between the governments of Japan and India about the sale of the aircraft have been continuing for several years, with the requirement centred on a programme to supply the Indian Navy (IN) with 12 US-2i aircraft. The deal is reportedly worth about USD1.6 billion.

A spokesperson from Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) told IHS Jane's in late September that it would look to respond "flexibly" to India's requirement in a bid to accelerate the sale. This flexibility is understood to apply to not only the cost of the aircraft but also the programme to involve Indian industry in the aircraft's production.

The spokesperson also indicated, however, that the potential programme had stalled until Japan receives greater clarity from New Delhi about the finer details of India's US-2i procurement policy. The IN had previously indicated that it wanted to import two US-2is from ShinMaywa, with the remaining 10 aircraft licence built in India, although the MoD did not confirm this.

The MoD spokesperson said, "On the US-2 Japan and India have agreed to accelerate consideration between both defence authorities.

"[But] in order to move on to stages of discussion on specific conditions of co-operation [the Japan] Ministry of Defense hopes that the Indian side will establish its procurement policy as soon as possible."

The spokesperson added that "after India has determined its procurement policy we would like to flexibly respond to requests from India and make our co-operation concrete".

The export of the US-2i was the subject of government-to-government agreements signed in December 2015. These accords were signed in Tokyo and, according to the Indian government, related to the "transfer of defence equipment and technology" and the "protection of classified military information".

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http://www.janes.com/article/64302/japan-promotes-flexible-us-2-sale-to-india

As I've said in the past. This bird falls under the "nice to have" category for the IN right now, in 3-4 years it may be worth looking at but right now they have more pressing needs.

 

[Eminent Mainstream Media]

As I've said in the past. This bird falls under the "nice to have" category for the IN right now, in 3-4 years it may be worth looking at but right now they have more pressing needs.

As the Navy expands these will find good use along with Submarine rescue vessels-

 

[Blue Marlin]

basically flexible means off the self purchase and india can make its own parts. on a good note, the engines are the same as the c130j's which india already has so thats a plus i guess. but the airforce and navy being separate forces i dont think that logic would apply. would it?
and would have more corrosion resistant materials but i will gloss over that part.

 

[wiseone2]

Could be prove very important in sir creek area where India and Pakistan both not agreed on border.

it is safe to say both sides are not going to fight over salt ponds

 

[Carbonated]

it is safe to say both sides are not going to fight over salt ponds

They are fighting for even tasteless cold hell.

 

[sathya]

Only when weapons and sensors are allowed to be IntegraTed , it has real value.

 

[Ankit Kumar 002]

This is not the correct time for it.
The top priority of navy as of today is

1. Submarines.
2. Naval Helicopters
3. INS Vikrant

 

[wiseone2]

This is not the correct time for it.
The top priority of navy as of today is

1. Submarines.
2. Naval Helicopters
3. INS Vikrant

SSBNs
naval choppers