Posted on 11/15/2005 3:50:51 AM PST by CarrotAndStick
WASHINGTON: The US Defense Department on Monday told the Congress that it had approved the sale to India of logistics support worth $133 million for two Lockheed Martin Corp. P-3C reconnaissance aircraft it plans to lease.
"The two leased P-3C aircraft will replace two existing Indian Navy patrol aircraft, Soviet-built IL-38 May aircraft, which are quickly reaching the end of their fatigue and operational service life," the Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said yesterday.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the logistics support includes training devices, operations and maintenance training, as well as spare parts.
Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed would be the prime contractor, which DSCA said would help improve India's security, while at the same time strengthening the US-India strategic partnership.
Congress has 30 days to block the proposed sale, although such action is rare.
The United States and India signed a military cooperation pact in June that opens the way for stepped-up weapons procurement as well as cooperation on missile defense.
The DSCA said India needed aircraft for land-based maritime patrol and reconnaissance against submarines and surface warfare ships as well as to protect its economic exclusion zone.
"Modernization will enhance the capabilities of the Indian Navy, support its regional influence and meet its legitimate self-defense needs," the agency said.
A US/India alliance to counter China's military buildup? Let's hope so.
U.S., Indian controllers on scope
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123012899
by Tech. Sgt. Martin Jackson
Cope India Public Affairs
11/14/2005 - SALUA AIR STATION, India (AFPN) -- Looking at the radar, the four F-16 Fighting Falcons were clearly outnumbered as 12 opposition aircraft closed in to fire their weapons.
An E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control systems aircraft started relaying coordinates, preparing the Falcons for their impending battle.
However, this time something was different. The AWACS crew was not soaring high overhead in their Sentry.
Instead, they were on the ground using Indian air force radar and tracking systems as part of exercise Cope India 06.
U.S. controllers have been operating out of the Indian radar facility at Salua Air Station since Nov. 8, as they await the return of their aircraft, which returned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, for maintenance.
“The biggest challenge is getting use to the systems and overcoming the limitations,” said Tech. Sgt. Steven Harshman, a lead weapons director from Kadena’s 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron. “Fortunately most of us have qualified on some sort of ground control station before.”
As Cope India 06 neared the midpoint, fight scenarios intensified with several aircraft participating. Ratcheting up the tempo put added importance on the command and control operators.
“Of course it can be challenging when you have to switch to a system you are not use to using,” said Capt. Michael Thomas, a squadron senior director. “However, with help from our Indian air force counterparts, we have been able to seamlessly transition our operations, keeping our pilots informed and in the game.”
For both the U.S. and Indian controllers operating together has provided many learning opportunities.
“There is a lot of educating for both sides,” Captain Thomas said. “It is always a good opportunity to see how another country’s command and control operations is carried out.”
Though this exercise pits U.S. and Indian aircraft -- battling daily overhead -- the exercise ultimately is about crafting understandings and constructing a working relationship between the two air forces.
“Having Americans control out of here has been a very diplomatic process,” said Lt. Col. Peter Bastien, the squadron’s detachment commander. “The Indian Air Force has been very gracious in working with us so we can continue our work, keeping this exercise flowing.”
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