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With eye on China and Pakistan, India in talks to buy US Predator drones
Reuters ^ | Apr 8, 2016

Posted on 04/08/2016 8:10:52 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

W DELHI: India is in talks with the United States to purchase 40 Predator surveillance drones, officials said, a possible first step towards acquiring the armed version of the aircraft and a development likely to annoy Pakistan.

India is trying to equip the military with more unmanned technologies to gather intelligence as well as boost its firepower along the vast land borders with Pakistan and China. It also wants a closer eye on the Indian Ocean.

New Delhi has already acquired surveillance drones from Israel to monitor the mountains of Kashmir.

As defence ties deepen with the United States, which sees India as a counterweight to China in the region, New Delhi has asked Washington for the Predator series of unmanned planes built by privately-held General Atomics, military officials said.

"We are aware of Predator interest from the Indian Navy. However, it is a government-to-government discussion," Vivek Lall, chief executive of US and International Strategic Development at San Diego-based General Atomics, told Reuters.

The US government late last year cleared General Atomics' proposal to market the unarmed Predator XP in India. It was not clear when the delivery of the drones would take place.

The navy wants them for surveillance in the Indian Ocean, where the pilotless aircraft can remain airborne for 35 hours at a stretch, at a time when the Chinese navy is expanding ship and submarine patrols in the region.

Moves by India to enhance its defence capabilities have in the past provoked sharp reactions from Islamabad, where the government and military are worried about falling further behind their bigger rival in the arms race.

Pakistan's foreign ministry could not be reached for comment on Friday, the start of the weekend there, while the military had no immediate comment.

(Excerpt) Read more at timesofindia.indiatimes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; india; pakistan; predator


1 posted on 04/08/2016 8:10:52 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

The world’s oldest democracy (USA) collaborating with the world’s largest democracy (India)!


2 posted on 04/08/2016 9:04:51 PM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote, you are actually voting for the candidate's rich donors!)
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To: entropy12
India's military procurement is even worse than ours...much worse.

I would not hold my breath waiting for a contract.

3 posted on 04/08/2016 9:13:45 PM PDT by diogenes ghost
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To: entropy12

We are a Republic Mr. Indian, get your facts straight. That’s right, continue selling out to the Indians.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3413041/posts?page=1
Just an other brick in the wall. As I said export controls should be in place stopping the wholesale transfer of American technology. This is a very sensitive technology.
And yes, I was part of the predator team, jet engine team, and aircraft team. What amazes me is the number of traitors that are selling our country out.


4 posted on 04/08/2016 10:17:31 PM PDT by OftheOhio (never could dance but always could kata - Romeo company)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Obama lift a finger to help Pakistan’s chief rival in the region? Never happen.


5 posted on 04/08/2016 11:57:16 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: OftheOhio

Haha..I worked for DOD projects, developing secret technology, have top secret clearance, and I got my BS in India and MS in US.


6 posted on 04/09/2016 12:48:57 AM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote, you are actually voting for the candidate's rich donors!)
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To: diogenes ghost

I am well aware, spent first 20 years of my life in India.
Corruption is part and parcel of the India culture.


7 posted on 04/09/2016 12:50:21 AM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote, you are actually voting for the candidate's rich donors!)
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To: entropy12

A commenter on Free Republic calling us a democracy, now that’s funny right there, haha. I notice you didn’t comment on the technology transfers though did you and you have a top secret clearance. Your last comment indicates they are not trustworthy, but you still support this. Let’s just say that’s kind of interesting.


8 posted on 04/09/2016 8:48:05 AM PDT by OftheOhio (never could dance but always could kata - Romeo company)
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To: OftheOhio

Sorry to be blunt, but you are obviously not well conversed in why our country is $20 TRILLION in debt and suffering $1 Trillion in foreign trade deficits EVERY YEAR.

Guys like you are hung up on terms like democracy and republics, and have no clue what is happening in the real world main street economy. I actually worked in a real world main street American manufacturing corporation for a quarter of a century, dealing with competitors from foreign countries. Chinese came in, offered the private owner $10 Million to buy our engineering knowledge, and of course now China can manufacture their own machines.

Our machines are used in automotive, appliance and aircraft manufacturing. India receiving drone technology is a drop in the bucket compared to loss of manufacturing jobs in American industry. Again, you have no clue.


9 posted on 04/09/2016 10:36:45 AM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote, you are actually voting for the candidate's rich donors!)
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To: entropy12

You can take your foot out of your mouth now. I have no clue, eh? Maybe you actually should have read my post number 4. By the way, that link I left was all about American manufacturing and American jobs. Seems I remember someone once telling me H1b’s were good for the country.


10 posted on 04/09/2016 1:04:37 PM PDT by OftheOhio (never could dance but always could kata - Romeo company)
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To: OftheOhio

I will end this stupid debate with 3 points.

1. Only idiots get mired in semantics such as democracy versus republic. The country does not benefit 1 red cent whether it is one or the other.

2. India is the most stable democracy in Asia, even Japan has more changes in ruling parties than India. There is no harm in India joining the other large democracy, United States, in sharing technology. There are more scientists and engineers graduating from colleges in India compared to US. India is a good power in south Asia to counter balance expansionist China and religious extremists infested Pakistan.

3. H1B visa workers are far better for US economy than the 1.1 million immigrants admitted EVERY YEAR based on sponsorship by other recent immigrants. Majority are low skilled, under educated and become a burden on social safety net. Senior immigrants are awarded supplemental social security for life even when they never worked in US and did not contribute any social security tax.


11 posted on 04/09/2016 6:07:58 PM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote, you are actually voting for the candidate's rich donors!)
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To: entropy12

I accomplished what I set out to do here. Thanks for playing.


12 posted on 04/10/2016 8:13:02 AM PDT by OftheOhio (never could dance but always could kata - Romeo company)
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