Washington, July 06: Reports The United States, according to media reports, has used its pressure to persuade Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to come out of bidding of new fighter jet, announced by the Indian Air Force. India would get 18 jets from the final bidder, while the remaining jets will be manufactured in India under exchange of technology.
The deal, worth Rs 42,000 crore, by IAF, is aimed at acquiring 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for Indian Air Force.
Pentagon is said to be apprehensive of the misuse of technology used in aircrafts through such deal by Israel, and urged IAI and the Swedish aerospace company, Saab Gripen, to scrap bidding for the prospective multi-billion deal.
An Israeli official said: “The stated concern was that western technology in Israeli hands would make its way to the Indians.” However, it is being said that the US wants to pave a way for its companies, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to complete the multi-billion deal.
The controversy may delay the deal as commercial bids will only be opened after selecting two or three final contenders.
——Agencies