Lesson for India: How the Americans screwed Norway's Gripen deal

[Markus]

Lesson for India: How the Americans screwed Norway's Gripen deal​

If you wanted a chunky glimpse of the cold political stuff that everyone knows goes down in a fighter competition in which the Americans have a horse, a clutch of the recent Wikileaks cables provide just that. It's simple (if you missed it): according to these cables (between the US Embassy in Oslo and the State Dept), the Americans denied the release of a US-built AESA radar for the Gripen-NG being pitched for a Norwegian requirement two years ago, while simultaneously bringing to bear political pressure ("high-level Washington advocacy") on the Norwegian government to choose the F-35 instead.

The cables provide the starkest view of how the threat of future political/diplomatic relations are very unsubtly yoked to weapon contracts. It's common knowledge that this is the way it happens, but here it is, in black and white. One cable ends, a touch frazzled, with, "Other advocacy efforts would contribute to helping [Norway] recognize the seriousness of their decision and resist the temptation of making a short-term expedient choice, but damaging long-term interests."

This is two years ago. Shortly after, Saab decided to call off all discussions with the Americans, French and Israelis (IAI was reportedly pressured by Washington to pull out of talks) and go in for the Selex Galileo RAVEN AESA, currently under development testing, and part of the configuration on offer to the Indian Air Force in the MMRCA competition.

You can pretty much bet that Tim Roemer has cables going out asking for the same sort of thing (including high level visits to impress the point) ahead of an Indian decision on the $12-billion contract next year, but there is at least one very serious question: Do the Americans still have leverage over the Gripen NG/IN, considering that the airplane's engine (F414G), avionics suite, head-up/down displays, environmental control system, air data computer, life support system, pressure regulator, shutoff valves and radar altimeter are American built? Worth thinking about, notwithstanding the fact that Saab (like the other five contenders where applicable) was made to submit a government-endorsed guarantee that all subsystems on the aircraft were export-cleared if not from the country of the principal integrator's origin.

And yet.

Livefist - Indian Defence & Aerospace: Is There An MMRCA Warning Bell In How The Americans Screwed The Gripen For Norway?

 

[GUNS-N- ROSES]

Lesson for India: How the Americans screwed Norway's Gripen deal​

If you wanted a chunky glimpse of the cold political stuff that everyone knows goes down in a fighter competition in which the Americans have a horse, a clutch of the recent Wikileaks cables provide just that. It's simple (if you missed it): according to these cables (between the US Embassy in Oslo and the State Dept), the Americans denied the release of a US-built AESA radar for the Gripen-NG being pitched for a Norwegian requirement two years ago, while simultaneously bringing to bear political pressure ("high-level Washington advocacy") on the Norwegian government to choose the F-35 instead.

The cables provide the starkest view of how the threat of future political/diplomatic relations are very unsubtly yoked to weapon contracts. It's common knowledge that this is the way it happens, but here it is, in black and white. One cable ends, a touch frazzled, with, "Other advocacy efforts would contribute to helping [Norway] recognize the seriousness of their decision and resist the temptation of making a short-term expedient choice, but damaging long-term interests."

This is two years ago. Shortly after, Saab decided to call off all discussions with the Americans, French and Israelis (IAI was reportedly pressured by Washington to pull out of talks) and go in for the Selex Galileo RAVEN AESA, currently under development testing, and part of the configuration on offer to the Indian Air Force in the MMRCA competition.

You can pretty much bet that Tim Roemer has cables going out asking for the same sort of thing (including high level visits to impress the point) ahead of an Indian decision on the $12-billion contract next year, but there is at least one very serious question: Do the Americans still have leverage over the Gripen NG/IN, considering that the airplane's engine (F414G), avionics suite, head-up/down displays, environmental control system, air data computer, life support system, pressure regulator, shutoff valves and radar altimeter are American built? Worth thinking about, notwithstanding the fact that Saab (like the other five contenders where applicable) was made to submit a government-endorsed guarantee that all subsystems on the aircraft were export-cleared if not from the country of the principal integrator's origin.

And yet.

Livefist - Indian Defence & Aerospace: Is There An MMRCA Warning Bell In How The Americans Screwed The Gripen For Norway?

indian dont like americans for this reason. and thats why no american fighter is gonna win MMRCA race.

 

[sensenreason]

indian dont like americans for this reason. and thats why no american fighter is gonna win MMRCA race.

With Dr Singh as PM I dont buy this arguement. The only reason Defence forces went ahead and publicised their opposition to US deals eg CISMOA etc during Obama's trip was as they were being pressured by the Govt to toe the US line.

I dont think Indians generally are aware of how compromised our cabinet is...ie by foreign intel agencies ...we must spread the word and have a debate on TV about this and then we will see...how quickly it will be taken off air.

 

[Mani2020]

i personally think that india should go with either typhoon ,mig-35 or Rafale .forget about f-18 and gripen NG as gripen have american engine and few other parts so same sting will be attached as in case of f-18 .

Inida already has made americans happy to some extent after signing the deal for P-8,C-17,C-130,Howitzers and guns

In case of Typhoon and Rafale i don't think their will be any problem or stings attached because india is already using aircrafts from same origins like Jaguar,mirage-2k .And everyone knows russia always have been reliable partner for india except in the case of aircraft carrier which is a debateable issue but i don't want anyone to get into that issue as it will ruin the thread

My gut feeling is that india will go with typhoon .the reason is that india already has a larde number of mig-29's and other russian aircrafts so obviously they will not want to stick with sole supplier,Rafale is also not in india's utmost interest as there mirage-2000 after upgradation will possess much similar components of Rafale.
So i think we are left with typhoon which is a good option

 

[alibaz]

Me too think they will go for Typhoon or Rafale. Before increasing dependence on US they must look in to its track record and this article should be an eye opener for everyone even for well experienced ourselves.