Reuters: US ready to sell advanced arms to India -Pentagon

[PhilipShore]

Reuters
US ready to sell advanced arms to India -Pentagon
2 March 2006

http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nN02409862&imageid=∩=

WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) - The United States said on the heels of a landmark civilian nuclear cooperation pact with India on Thursday that it was prepared to sell advanced warplanes and other high-tech arms to the south Asia nation.

"Where only a few years ago, no one would have talked about the prospects for a major U.S.-India defense deal, today the prospects are promising, whether in the realm of combat aircraft, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft or naval vessels," the U.S. Defense Department said as President George W. Bush paid a three-day visit to India.

"The next step is to turn the talk of prospective sales into reality. The United States is committed to working with India to do this," the department added in a statement released to coincide with the president's visit.

The Pentagon release did not mention any specific deals except to note that Washington was prepared to offer Lockheed Martin (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) F-16 and Boeing (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) F/A F-18 jet fighters to India.

[Roon]

1. What does Pakistan think of all of this?

They can't be too thrilled. Are we gonna sell them arms too?

[bananas]

3. I wonder what China thinks. nt

[pdurod1]

10. That's my thought. Box China in

[tocqueville]

4. they might counter by selling nukes

to OBL or Iran (puts the Dubai deal in a "brighter" perspective...)

[daleo]

6. Sure, they can sell everyone arms

That's what Krupp did in WW1 era - sell the Royal Navy armor piercing shells, then sell the German Navy armor that could withstand those shells, then sell the Royal Navy improved shells, then sell the German Navy improved armor...war can be a great racket, until something goes wrong.

[pdurod1]

11. Ever seen "Lord of War?"

Bush is the worlds largest arms dealer. Didn't the US Gov't supply stingers to bin Laden's group? Look where that got us. And bin Laden giggles like a girl, India will giggle like a pack of Hyenas...

[daleo]

13. I haven't seen it yet

But I will keep it in mind. These things just go round and round.

[AlamoDemoc]

2. hmmm! now we know what the hold up was all about on the Indian side

..."sell us more advanced warplanes and other high-tech arms first"

[louis-t]

5. We can barely trust Musharraf as it is.

This will certainly change the attitude of our "partner in the War on Terra".

[AlamoDemoc]

7. Musharraf has viewed himself as an ally of the US

now he sees the US as playing regional partnership kiss-up with India, and this he might conclude that this regional alliance could undermine his grip on power, and therefore if he doesn't seek alliance with China or elsewhere, his trusted military brass would see him as a weak leader, and eventually could overthrow him. He has to act in order to protect his presidency.

[fujiyama]

15. Pakistan

has had a long term relationship with China for decades now. Hell, China, along with the US and Saudi Arabia are the only nations really propping it up for the most part.

Musharraf is no dummy though and knows that the US will go where it sees fit and he knows at this time, other than being a so called ally on Bush's "War on terror", they have little else to offer.

Ultimately, this is the game the US plays - arm both sides, and have defense contractors make $$$.

[louis-t]

17. And yet, after giving in to India, bushie strolls into Karachi

like a conquering hero. Doesn't have a clue. Not a diplomat, not a negotiator, no class, no brains, all mouth.

[JohnyCanuck]

8. How many mangos for an F16? n/t

[mbperrin]

9. Gawrsh, who'd a thunk George was up to making $$$$

for arms dealers?

It's all about world peace, right?

:crickets:

[Danieljay]

12. its all to support the military industrial complex that we are now

dependant upon. If you haven't yet seen "Why we Fight", its time you did. http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/whywefight/trailer/

[leesa]

14. Aren't you just PROUD of America?? The only thing we've got are killing

toys. WooHoo We're Number 1!!

[HuffleClaw]

16. business as usual for bushco.

going to india for an ARMS DEAL ??!! just when ya think they can sink no lower. i hope some other nations' leaders rant about how bush is DESTABILIZING THE REGION, like bushco. does whenever some nation THEY don't like buys so much as a pointed stick.

[cantstandbush]

18. Now tell me again about why Iran can't have nuke power? n/t