TomCat111
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Nuclear Pact and Arming India
Contributing Editor Air Marshal (Retd) AYAZ AHMED KHAN takes note of the massive arming of India by American and says this will create a serious security situation for India's neighbours.
The landmark India-US nuclear pact signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George Bush in New Delhi on March 07, 2006, has enhanced India's nuclear weapon capability, and has given an impetus to Washington's desire and effort to modernize and strengthen India's conventional military capability. Addressing the Indian Parliament the same day the Prime Minister of India stated that," The integrity of our nuclear doctrine, and our ability to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent is adequately protected".
What he meant was that it has been adequately enhanced. He assured the Indian Parliament that the deal in no way will cap India's military potential, both nuclear and conventional. Since March 2006 the Indo-US nuclear Pact is the center-piece of New Delhi's strategic relationship with the United States. It has not only given India unhindered access to US nuclear technology, but has assured India that Washington will keep its eyes shut to Indiaââ¬â¢s plans to stockpile ICBMs, IRBMs and tactical nuclear missiles. Whether India has one thousand or five thousand missiles with nuclear war heads will not be America's concern. Under the nuclear pact India will split its civil and nuclear facilities, and put 14 of its 22 nuclear reactors under international inspection by 2014. Thus India can use all its 22 nuclear reactors to produce weapon grade uranium for the next eight years. And after 2014, eight Indian nuclear reactors will be solely and totally committed to the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Thus an immense nuclear weapon threat has been created in South Asia. The Indian nuclear weapons are not only a very serious threat to Pakistan and other regional countries, but to entire Asia. Encouraged by Washington, India will update and enhance its nuclear weapon programme, and that will make India a nuclear menace globally.
After the decision of the Bush Administration to supply nuclear technology to India and signing of the "Indo-US Agreement on Nuclear Cooperation", US defense industry is trying to secure defense contracts worth billions of dollars with the Indian armed forces. Advanced technology weapons including F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft, latest scanned array radars (AESA), multi role helicopters, submarines, frigates, Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) aircraft and AWACS have already been offered. How arming India to the teeth would impact on India's neighbours is of little concern to the Bush Administration and to the US weapon sellers.
Presently seventy percent Indian military weapons are of Russian origin. After decades of use of Russian made or assembled weapons, and in the light of loss of five hundred Mig-21, Mig-23 and Mig-27 fighters from air accidents, Indian Air Force has decided to acquire combat aircraft from France, UK, USA and from Russia as well. There is a realization that America has the best high technology weapons, especially fighter aircraft and air defence equipment, which could enable India to establish hegemony in South Asia and primacy in the region. Indian Air force has 190 Russian Su-31 Mk - one of the most advanced multirole combat aircraft on order. About sixty of these have been procured and are in service. The IAF has fifty Mirage-2000 on its inventory. These were used effectively during the Kargil battle.
All US defense manufacturers have a strategy for gaining a foothold in the Indian armed forces. One of the biggest deals under way involves India's plans to buy 126 new multi-role jet fighters for the Indian Air Force, valued at around ten billion US dollars. Lockheed Martin, the biggest aircraft manufacturing company in the world has made the offer to sell 126 Block 50-52 F-16 fighters jets, with technology transfer to assemble/manufacture F-16 Falcons in India. Boeing Company, the biggest manufacturer of passenger jetliners has offered F/AE/F Super Hornet fighters at comparable price. France's Dassault who make Mirage-2000 fighters already with the Indian Air Force, has offered its latest Rafale fighter. Russia which is currently supplying 190 multi-role Su-31/31 Mk fighters, has offered to sell top of the line Mig-29s, already on IAF inventory. And Saab the Swedish aircraft manufacturer has offered to sell the Saab fighter to India.
It is worth mentioning that while the US has agreed to sell 36 F-16 fighters to Pakistan at an exorbitant price of five billion dollars, 126 F-16's are being offered to India for ten billion dollars only. At ten billion US dollars for 126 F-16's, the price per F-16's proposed to be sold to India is one third per aircraft compared to Pakistan. This is surprising and implies that F-16's or F-18's being made available to India would be subsidized by the US Administration. The Government needs to clarify, why Lockheed Martin is charging three times higher price per aircraft from Pakistan, which is America's vital non-NATO ally. India is negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to build most of the F-16 jet fighters by HAL at Bangalore. Why Pakistan failed to negotiate a similar agreement to assemble/ build F-16's at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra? Lockheed Martin has agreed to the transfer of technology to HAL for manufacturing F-16 Falcons in India. Was technology transfer requirement taken up with the Bush Administration and with Lockheed Martin? And what was their response?
Is the US and Lockheed Martin taking Pakistan for a ride by charging three times the price? The last F-16 was delivered to the USAF in March 2005. Presently F-16's are being manufactured for Israel, Chili, Poland and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Presently Lockheed Martin has back order of 200 F-16's, and the last one would come off the manufacturing line in 2008. With PAF and IAF F-16's orders, Lockheed Martin will remain in business for another fifteen years.
On the sale of F-16 to Pakistan US attitude has been discriminatory and illegal. Pakistanââ¬â¢s order for 110 F-16's was shelved by the Bush Senior Administration under the Pressler Amendment in 1989. Twenty eight duly paid for F-16's manufactured for the Pakistan Air Force were embargoed, and US Dollars 658 million confiscated, in effect illegally pocketed. The 28 F-16 made for Pakistan Air Force were kept in storage at Daris Monthan Air Force Base in the US. Pakistan made every possible effort to get the aircraft or the money back. After failing to sell these aircraft to friendly air forces, US Navy and US Air Force got them. These are being used as "Aggressor" aircraft, to intercept incoming intruders. In 2005 Pakistan requested for 24 Block 50/52 F-16 C/D's with option for 55 more. Reportedly the Bush Administration agreed, but President Musharraf put the possible deal on hold in the light of the massive earthquake disaster in northern Pakistan, i.e. NWFP and Azad Kashmir. It now appears that F-16 had become a red herring and PAF will never get the new F-16 fighter. Fortunately a deal has now been struck for the procurement of 36 F-16 Block50/52 fighters. I hope this deal comes through.
The fact is that sale of F-16 to Pakistan, followed by sanctions, foot dragging and delay has given rise to anger and frustration in this country. Now that Lockheed Martin urgently needs new orders to keep its 5000 workforce usefully employed, the Company and the US Administration has given a green light to the sale to Pakistan. Bathesda based Lockheed Martin has sold more than 4000 F-16 Falcons since 1970. Half (2000) for the US Air Force and US National Guard and half (2000) for overseas customers. Three hundred F-16's have been given-sold with deferred payments to Israel.
With eight hundred fighter aircraft on its inventory, as compared to about 400 with the PAF, the combat aircraft ratio is two to one in India's favor. The IAF has 240 modern front line combat aircraft - 190 Russian SU-30 MK and 50 Mirage 2000 strike aircraft, compared to only 32 F-16's with the PAF. With 126 additional fifth generation fighters, IAF's fighter strike combat capability will increase to 366 highly potent multi-role strike aircraft, capable of striking deep into Pakistan. With 36 additional F-16 Falcons, the PAF will have a total of 68 F-16 aircraft after ten years. The five to one imbalance of attack and combat aircraft, will tilt the ratio of air power dangerously in favour of India. Considering that airpower will play the key role in any India-Pakistan confrontation, such adverse air power ratio will place Pakistan Air Force at a disadvantage in countering India aggression.
Lockheed Martin aims to outsource aircraft components to enable India to sell its highly successful C-130 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. IAF transport fleet is already four times the size of Pakistan Air Force transport fleet of C-130 Charlies. PAF has been operating the C-130 most successfully, especially in the Northern Areas since decades. Besides increased airlift capability, C-130 aircraft will enhance Indian Army's para-drop capability.
The American avionic firm Raytheon has already confirmed its readiness to supply India with its most advanced "electronically active scanned array radar (AESA), which steers radar beams at nearly the speed of light.ââ¬Â The system is much lighter and more accurate than conventional radar systems. This electronic asset would significantly enhance the war fighting capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Neither the AESA nor the F-18 Super Hornet has been offered to Pakistan. The discrimination against Pakistan is more than clear. US has offered Patriot Anti-Missile Missile System to India, while India is negotiating purchase of Arrow AMM's from Israel. Indian Air Force AWACS and the array of new AMMs and AESA radars will greatly enhance Indian Air Force capability to intercept incoming missiles and intruder aircraft.
Bell, the American aerospace giant has almost settled an order for the supply of 197 multi-role helicopters, including large numbers of gun ship helicopters for the use of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The Bell helicopter deal is valued at $ 500 million. Bell has also offered India assistance for the development and manufacture of home made attack helicopter. Indian Army wants to by 64 Bell attack helicopters immediately.
The remaining 137 will be manufactured under license at HAL Bangalore. With the new 197 Bell helicopters and 250 Chetaks and Cheeta helicopters, Indian Army's offensive capabilities will significantly enhance.
Indian Navy's shopping list includes six submarines, three frigates, Lockheed Martinââ¬â¢s eight Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) air craft and Boeingââ¬â¢s Multi-Mission Boeing jets. The 737 is not available till 2009, so Indian Navy is likely to opt for P3C Orions. Northrop Grumman Corporation has offered sea going vessels for Indian Navy's coastal fleet. Northrop Grumman has already signed a deal with HAL Bangalore to source and supply components of the Hawkeye AWACs, already offered to the Indian Navy and Air Force.
Indian defense budget has been steadily growing with its economy. There are indications that the defense budget will increase to 22 billion dollars, i.e. by ten percent during the coming fiscal year. Capital expenditure on new weapon acquisitions has increased from 25% in 2000 to 42% during the current fiscal year. Massive arming of India with American help will create a serious security situation for India's near and far neighbours including Pakistan, China, Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Near and Far East countries and for the Middle East region. The matter should have been discussed by the Non-Aligned Summit at Havana. Something must be done urgently to stop an arms race being triggered by the United States in South Asia.
Contributing Editor Air Marshal (Retd) AYAZ AHMED KHAN takes note of the massive arming of India by American and says this will create a serious security situation for India's neighbours.
The landmark India-US nuclear pact signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George Bush in New Delhi on March 07, 2006, has enhanced India's nuclear weapon capability, and has given an impetus to Washington's desire and effort to modernize and strengthen India's conventional military capability. Addressing the Indian Parliament the same day the Prime Minister of India stated that," The integrity of our nuclear doctrine, and our ability to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent is adequately protected".
What he meant was that it has been adequately enhanced. He assured the Indian Parliament that the deal in no way will cap India's military potential, both nuclear and conventional. Since March 2006 the Indo-US nuclear Pact is the center-piece of New Delhi's strategic relationship with the United States. It has not only given India unhindered access to US nuclear technology, but has assured India that Washington will keep its eyes shut to Indiaââ¬â¢s plans to stockpile ICBMs, IRBMs and tactical nuclear missiles. Whether India has one thousand or five thousand missiles with nuclear war heads will not be America's concern. Under the nuclear pact India will split its civil and nuclear facilities, and put 14 of its 22 nuclear reactors under international inspection by 2014. Thus India can use all its 22 nuclear reactors to produce weapon grade uranium for the next eight years. And after 2014, eight Indian nuclear reactors will be solely and totally committed to the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Thus an immense nuclear weapon threat has been created in South Asia. The Indian nuclear weapons are not only a very serious threat to Pakistan and other regional countries, but to entire Asia. Encouraged by Washington, India will update and enhance its nuclear weapon programme, and that will make India a nuclear menace globally.
After the decision of the Bush Administration to supply nuclear technology to India and signing of the "Indo-US Agreement on Nuclear Cooperation", US defense industry is trying to secure defense contracts worth billions of dollars with the Indian armed forces. Advanced technology weapons including F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft, latest scanned array radars (AESA), multi role helicopters, submarines, frigates, Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) aircraft and AWACS have already been offered. How arming India to the teeth would impact on India's neighbours is of little concern to the Bush Administration and to the US weapon sellers.
Presently seventy percent Indian military weapons are of Russian origin. After decades of use of Russian made or assembled weapons, and in the light of loss of five hundred Mig-21, Mig-23 and Mig-27 fighters from air accidents, Indian Air Force has decided to acquire combat aircraft from France, UK, USA and from Russia as well. There is a realization that America has the best high technology weapons, especially fighter aircraft and air defence equipment, which could enable India to establish hegemony in South Asia and primacy in the region. Indian Air force has 190 Russian Su-31 Mk - one of the most advanced multirole combat aircraft on order. About sixty of these have been procured and are in service. The IAF has fifty Mirage-2000 on its inventory. These were used effectively during the Kargil battle.
All US defense manufacturers have a strategy for gaining a foothold in the Indian armed forces. One of the biggest deals under way involves India's plans to buy 126 new multi-role jet fighters for the Indian Air Force, valued at around ten billion US dollars. Lockheed Martin, the biggest aircraft manufacturing company in the world has made the offer to sell 126 Block 50-52 F-16 fighters jets, with technology transfer to assemble/manufacture F-16 Falcons in India. Boeing Company, the biggest manufacturer of passenger jetliners has offered F/AE/F Super Hornet fighters at comparable price. France's Dassault who make Mirage-2000 fighters already with the Indian Air Force, has offered its latest Rafale fighter. Russia which is currently supplying 190 multi-role Su-31/31 Mk fighters, has offered to sell top of the line Mig-29s, already on IAF inventory. And Saab the Swedish aircraft manufacturer has offered to sell the Saab fighter to India.
It is worth mentioning that while the US has agreed to sell 36 F-16 fighters to Pakistan at an exorbitant price of five billion dollars, 126 F-16's are being offered to India for ten billion dollars only. At ten billion US dollars for 126 F-16's, the price per F-16's proposed to be sold to India is one third per aircraft compared to Pakistan. This is surprising and implies that F-16's or F-18's being made available to India would be subsidized by the US Administration. The Government needs to clarify, why Lockheed Martin is charging three times higher price per aircraft from Pakistan, which is America's vital non-NATO ally. India is negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to build most of the F-16 jet fighters by HAL at Bangalore. Why Pakistan failed to negotiate a similar agreement to assemble/ build F-16's at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra? Lockheed Martin has agreed to the transfer of technology to HAL for manufacturing F-16 Falcons in India. Was technology transfer requirement taken up with the Bush Administration and with Lockheed Martin? And what was their response?
Is the US and Lockheed Martin taking Pakistan for a ride by charging three times the price? The last F-16 was delivered to the USAF in March 2005. Presently F-16's are being manufactured for Israel, Chili, Poland and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Presently Lockheed Martin has back order of 200 F-16's, and the last one would come off the manufacturing line in 2008. With PAF and IAF F-16's orders, Lockheed Martin will remain in business for another fifteen years.
On the sale of F-16 to Pakistan US attitude has been discriminatory and illegal. Pakistanââ¬â¢s order for 110 F-16's was shelved by the Bush Senior Administration under the Pressler Amendment in 1989. Twenty eight duly paid for F-16's manufactured for the Pakistan Air Force were embargoed, and US Dollars 658 million confiscated, in effect illegally pocketed. The 28 F-16 made for Pakistan Air Force were kept in storage at Daris Monthan Air Force Base in the US. Pakistan made every possible effort to get the aircraft or the money back. After failing to sell these aircraft to friendly air forces, US Navy and US Air Force got them. These are being used as "Aggressor" aircraft, to intercept incoming intruders. In 2005 Pakistan requested for 24 Block 50/52 F-16 C/D's with option for 55 more. Reportedly the Bush Administration agreed, but President Musharraf put the possible deal on hold in the light of the massive earthquake disaster in northern Pakistan, i.e. NWFP and Azad Kashmir. It now appears that F-16 had become a red herring and PAF will never get the new F-16 fighter. Fortunately a deal has now been struck for the procurement of 36 F-16 Block50/52 fighters. I hope this deal comes through.
The fact is that sale of F-16 to Pakistan, followed by sanctions, foot dragging and delay has given rise to anger and frustration in this country. Now that Lockheed Martin urgently needs new orders to keep its 5000 workforce usefully employed, the Company and the US Administration has given a green light to the sale to Pakistan. Bathesda based Lockheed Martin has sold more than 4000 F-16 Falcons since 1970. Half (2000) for the US Air Force and US National Guard and half (2000) for overseas customers. Three hundred F-16's have been given-sold with deferred payments to Israel.
With eight hundred fighter aircraft on its inventory, as compared to about 400 with the PAF, the combat aircraft ratio is two to one in India's favor. The IAF has 240 modern front line combat aircraft - 190 Russian SU-30 MK and 50 Mirage 2000 strike aircraft, compared to only 32 F-16's with the PAF. With 126 additional fifth generation fighters, IAF's fighter strike combat capability will increase to 366 highly potent multi-role strike aircraft, capable of striking deep into Pakistan. With 36 additional F-16 Falcons, the PAF will have a total of 68 F-16 aircraft after ten years. The five to one imbalance of attack and combat aircraft, will tilt the ratio of air power dangerously in favour of India. Considering that airpower will play the key role in any India-Pakistan confrontation, such adverse air power ratio will place Pakistan Air Force at a disadvantage in countering India aggression.
Lockheed Martin aims to outsource aircraft components to enable India to sell its highly successful C-130 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. IAF transport fleet is already four times the size of Pakistan Air Force transport fleet of C-130 Charlies. PAF has been operating the C-130 most successfully, especially in the Northern Areas since decades. Besides increased airlift capability, C-130 aircraft will enhance Indian Army's para-drop capability.
The American avionic firm Raytheon has already confirmed its readiness to supply India with its most advanced "electronically active scanned array radar (AESA), which steers radar beams at nearly the speed of light.ââ¬Â The system is much lighter and more accurate than conventional radar systems. This electronic asset would significantly enhance the war fighting capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Neither the AESA nor the F-18 Super Hornet has been offered to Pakistan. The discrimination against Pakistan is more than clear. US has offered Patriot Anti-Missile Missile System to India, while India is negotiating purchase of Arrow AMM's from Israel. Indian Air Force AWACS and the array of new AMMs and AESA radars will greatly enhance Indian Air Force capability to intercept incoming missiles and intruder aircraft.
Bell, the American aerospace giant has almost settled an order for the supply of 197 multi-role helicopters, including large numbers of gun ship helicopters for the use of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The Bell helicopter deal is valued at $ 500 million. Bell has also offered India assistance for the development and manufacture of home made attack helicopter. Indian Army wants to by 64 Bell attack helicopters immediately.
The remaining 137 will be manufactured under license at HAL Bangalore. With the new 197 Bell helicopters and 250 Chetaks and Cheeta helicopters, Indian Army's offensive capabilities will significantly enhance.
Indian Navy's shopping list includes six submarines, three frigates, Lockheed Martinââ¬â¢s eight Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) air craft and Boeingââ¬â¢s Multi-Mission Boeing jets. The 737 is not available till 2009, so Indian Navy is likely to opt for P3C Orions. Northrop Grumman Corporation has offered sea going vessels for Indian Navy's coastal fleet. Northrop Grumman has already signed a deal with HAL Bangalore to source and supply components of the Hawkeye AWACs, already offered to the Indian Navy and Air Force.
Indian defense budget has been steadily growing with its economy. There are indications that the defense budget will increase to 22 billion dollars, i.e. by ten percent during the coming fiscal year. Capital expenditure on new weapon acquisitions has increased from 25% in 2000 to 42% during the current fiscal year. Massive arming of India with American help will create a serious security situation for India's near and far neighbours including Pakistan, China, Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Near and Far East countries and for the Middle East region. The matter should have been discussed by the Non-Aligned Summit at Havana. Something must be done urgently to stop an arms race being triggered by the United States in South Asia.
