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New Delhi, India (AHN) – The United States has expressed deep disappointment after India gave preference to two European fighters, pan-European Eurofighter and France-based Dessault’s Rafale over Boeing and Lockheed Martin for a significant $11 billion military contract.

A statement from Indian Defense Ministry confirmed that the two European fighters have been chosen against American F-16 and F-18 jets, Russian makers of the MiG 35 and Sweden’s Saab. Timothy Roemer, U.S. ambassador in India, said, “We are reviewing the documents received from the government of India and are respectful of the procurement process.”

He also expressed Washington’s keenness to develop defense partnership with India. The announcement might strain relations between the U.S. and India, said former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal. “The Americans will be very unhappy and people who have been backing the contract will say India has not sufficiently taken into account the political relationship with the US. That is a political setback for relations,” he added.

Explaining the selection of aircraft, the ministry said that India desperately needs modern aircraft to counter attacks coming from ground-based targets from enemy territories and for its defense against an invasion. Currently, the air force has only 30 squadrons, while MIG-21 has been phased out and aircraft like Jaguar and the Mirages are undergoing an upgrade are undergoing an upgrade.

In a statement to Economic Times, ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said that they have asked the two European companies to keep their commercial bids open till December 31, 2011. “The other four companies are no longer in the running and have been notified on Wednesday,” Kar added.

 

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