US offers to put F-16s sale on fast track

US offers to put F-16s sale on fast track

April 21, 2005 21:07 IST

In a bid to bag a lucrative deal from India, which is seeking 126 multi-role combat aircraft, the United States has offered to put the sales of its F-16 and F-18 fighter jets on the fast track

A high-level US defence team led by Lieutenant General Jeffrey B Kohler held marathon discussions on Thursday with top Indian Air Force officials and submitted detailed technical parameters of the two fighters, the F-16 Fighting Falcons manufactured by Lockheed Martin and Boeing's twin engine upgraded F-18 Super Hornets.

US officials sought to assure India's fear on sanction by saying, "stakes were much higher now and the two sides would have to think twice before precipitating any such action".

After a round of meetings to submit the Request for information, Kohler said two US companies had been allowed to bid for Indian purchases and the aviation majors would be offering the most upgraded version of their fighters to India.

He said the company officials themselves would give a more detailed presentation when they bring their fighters to India for trials.