US government has tight restrictions on foreign sales of unmanned vehicles. PHOTO: AFP
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, who will join President Barack Obama during a trip to India on January 26, said he was concerned that other countries could rush in to sell India the equipment it desires if the United States drags its feet. "This is going to be a space ... where other countries are moving very quickly too," he told an event hosted by the nonprofit Atlantic Council. "If the Indians can't find a partner with the United States, they'll find one somewhere else."
US aerospace and arms companies have been pressing the US government for years to ease current tight restrictions on foreign sales of unmanned vehicles, arguing that other countries such as Israel are overtaking the United States in drone sales.
India, which is modernizing its military, is a big and growing market for US weapons makers who are seeking foreign sales to help offset declines in US defense spending. Warner said he hoped that unmanned aircraft would be included as part of a broad US push to expand defense ties with India but said he was not aware of any specific initiatives to be announced during Obama's visit. US and Indian officials are trying to work out pilot projects for joint production of drones and other weapons as part of the US-India Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), a source familiar with the effort said.
One drone project involves the RQ-11 "Raven" built by AeroVironment Inc, a small US firm, but Northrop Grumman Corp, Textron Systems, a unit of Textron Inc and General Atomics, a privately held firm, are also seeking permission to sell their unmanned systems to India. The US government strictly controls foreign sales of larger UAVs but has approved sales of unarmed systems such as the Raven, which are used purely for surveillance to a range of countries, including Uzbekistan, according to a US source.
Warner said he expected some announcements about joint defense projects during Obama's visit but said he had not been briefed on specific deals. US officials are weighing options as they seek to expand defense ties with India as Washington grows concerned about the extent of Pakistan's efforts to crack down on militants.
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Pakistan must learn from India, how to deals at international stage.
It has been a sound policy of India since getting independence. No imports of unnecessary consumer products like Color TV, cars, etc that are not essential to quality living. All industrial imports to be backed by design and technology transfer strictly. India has been known to bypass Britain, Germany and US in the past when they refused to part with design. It was a result of this policy that India engaged with Soviets on many deals because Soviets were ready to give eveyrthing to India, their training used to be one of the best, the sale price damn cheap, the financial terms very easy and many a time saved critical foreign exchange. India opened up imports to consumer good much later just before the Asiad commonwealth games.
@Siraj Ahmed. Yes ideally India wants drones it wants to buy manufactured in India with full technology transfer. But it cannot sell to other countries. It will be called technology theft. Modi government is not towing the line of just buy off the shelf. He is making it very clear, you want us to buy your weapons then shift your manufacturing line to India then we will buy it from you. He didn't spare even Russia, closest ally who finally agreed to manufacture 400 helicopters in India.
@Siraj Ahmed: Can u post the TOI link for the same pls ...
The Times of India has reported that USA is ready to sell its most advanced drones but India wants it to be manufactured in India with total technology transfer, so that it can manufacture and sell it to others.