US offers advanced missile system to India

[OhioChick]

New Delhi, January 29, 2007

The US is offering India one of the world's most formidable shipboard missile systems that has the potential of being integrated with the country's indigenous missiles.

There was "some interest" in the Indian defence establishment in the Aegis system but neither has the US made an offer nor has India made any formal request for it, says Royce Caplinger, managing director of Lockheed Martin India, whose US parent manufactures the system.

"I am sure though that if you ask for it, you will get it," India Strategic defence magazine quotes him as saying.

The feelers to sell the Aegis are obviously part of the US government's agenda to help India become what the State Department called in its May 2005 policy statement "a global power."

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1914076,0008.htm

[salin]

1. Wonder how that goes down with Mushareff?

Bush keeps claiming Pakistan is such a great ally and asset per the war in Afghanistan. Wouldn't this further weaken Mushareff - ya that will strengthen his ability to go after Taliban and Al Qaeda hiding in the tribal border areas of Pakistan (something I believe Bush recently called on Mushareff to do).

So glad this admin has a coherent foreign policy
:sarcasm:

[formercia]

2. So they can trade it to the Russians

for a discount on their hardware.

[bananas]

3. If we're selling them Aegis, it's probably so we can plug into it

when we go to war with China.

[Botany]

4. Selling advanced weapons to Hindus; This can only help us w/ Islamic states.

Send Karen Hughes to some madrasas in Pakistan ASAP.

[madrchsod]

5. thank`s for ruining my breakfast

[Liberal Veteran]

6. In trade for what this time? Tandoori chicken?

:shrug:

[formercia]

12. A slice of cold shoulder with mango chutney. n/t

[bobthedrummer]

7. And this after Mr. Putin spent a couple of days there finalizing arms

and nuclear reactor deals.

Just in the past week India made a statement against space weapons and launched a space mission while the BFEE Decided to put "son of SDI" planetary "defense" installations in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Mr. Putin and most Russian leaders have repeatedly spoke against palcement of US/NATO assets in the former Soviet bloc- which, by golly, in another "coincidence", is precisely what the PNAC crew and their extreme RW supporters called for about a decade ago.

:sarcasm:

It's Superbowl week in BFEE'S HOMELAND(tm). Go shopping and enjoy the beautiful weather sponsored by the corporations and private donors that have made today possible.

[Toucano]

8. More weapons proliferation. Can I ask, "Why do they hate us?" n/t

[roamer65]

9. * seems determined to start another Indo-Pakistani war.

[fujiyama]

10. Anyone have an idea how this differs from the Israeli Arrow system?

I believe the Israelis either sold or were intent on selling the Arrow system to India (and even China at one point though the US objected).

This is US global arms proliferation at its best - sell weapons to both sides or give money to both sides with the intent of them buying US military hardware. All this military aid is funneled to defense contractors.

Oh well, better India than China or Pakistan though...

[dysfunctional press]

11. how long before we sell the pakistanis the technology to defeat it?

you just gotta love the military-industrial complex, dont'cha?

[formercia]

13. measures, countermeasures

always upgrading and obsoleting. Keep those tax dollars flowing from both sides.

[porkrind]

14. Arms proliferation for profit

Arms export is big business for the US. We sell weapons to anyone who can buy them, then we wonder why the world is so violent. Then, we exaggerate the foreign threat of our former arms customers to create an excuse to maintain a huge military force to "protect" us. This serves the dual purpose of creating a domestic market for "defense" contractors, and an enforcement agency for corporate America's foreign interests.

Jeez, what a sick web of violence and theft.

[moondust]

15. Our eternal buddies.

At least we fervently hope so!