US Offers Fighter Jets, Aircraft Carrier Technology to India

US has offered to help India manufacture fighter jets and aircraft carrier. 

 "I see no reason why the US and India can't produce fighter aircraft together, US ambassador to India, Richard Verma said at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi Friday.

“Both countries have established a new aircraft carrier working group to support India’s indigenous program. The first meeting of the group took place this week,” Verma said referring to the recent visit to New Delhi by Defense Minister Ashton Cater.

He however has not disclosed the particulars of the meeting.

“Air power is required to protect over-flight freedom", he said hinting at Chinese encroachment in South China Sea. "Let’s start by freeing our seas. It has been a foundational argument for naval freedom."

US companies; Boeing and Lockheed Martin had lost out in the race for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract, but are still hopeful of supplying carrier based aircraft for India's second Indigenous aircraft carrier project.

The Indian Air Force is likely to de-commission 54 MiG 21s and MiG 27s in the next six months bringing down the strength from 35 to 32 squadrons.

The Air Force needs at least 42 squadrons of 18 aircraft each to provide proper air cover at the Western and Northern borders.

India is still awaiting the purchase of Dassault Rafale fighter aircrafts from France. India has also scaled down the number of aircraft it planned to acquire from 126 to 36 off-the-shelf jets.