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"The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has cleared the deal", Defence Miniters A K Antony told newsmen on the sidelines of a function.
The clearance for the deal comes a month ahead of the first ever visit to India by new US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on February 25.
The sale, minister said, would be under government-to- government FMS scheme.
This will be the third major arms deal with the US. Recently India purchased 45,000 tonne displacement USS Trenton, a shiplanding dock, now rechristened INS Jalashva for about $ 500 million.
Three years ago India and the US had concluded a deal for purchase of seven weapon locating radar ANTPQ-37.
C-130J manufactured by US aviation giant Lockheed Martin is being bought in special forces configuration and would come with equipment like missile warning system, radar warning receiver and counter measure dispensation.
India's version of the Super Hercules is believed to be far more advance than those supplied by the US to Pakistan.
This is first time since 1962 war with China that Indian Air Force will sport an American aircraft in its armoury.
The American aircraft has the capability to land on makeshift strips and even in complete dark and radio silence condition, which India lacked during the Kandhar hijacking.
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RatingOne aspect of the US-Indian defense relationship that is completely humanitarian and nonpolitical in nature is cooperation to recover the remains of US military personnel who lost their lives in India during World War II. The families of these personnel hope that during his February visit Defense Secretary Gates and Indian Defense officials will solidify the January agreement on joint US-Indian recovery operations in India's Northeast, where the eight-member crew of the US aircraft "Hot as Hell" were killed in 1944. If a recovery operation is completed in 2008, that would mark a major milestone in US-Indian humanitarian cooperation. Gary ZaetzNephew of Lt. Irwin Zaetz, navigator of the "Hot as Hell"
Our scoundrel comrades would not accept it. They would have been happy had India procured arms from China or North Korea. Nuclear deal, ship purchase and now aircraft...what is this. India is supporting anti-muslim Bush and his fascist govt. India has lost its independence. Manmohan's govt should go.
i hope that along with the ability to land in total radio silence and absolute darkness they are also importing the political will and guts to utilse these capabilities
They should alway offer a global tender and then select the items based on needs. I wonder how much kickback is involved with this deal?
That's true.
As a democratic country USA will find relations with India will be on a far more level groundand transparency will be easy to maintain. I hope USA understands democracy in Indiais real not superficial does'nt need no crutches.
At last sanity has began to prevail amongst Indian polity. This is a smart move and will have immense strategic impact.American weapons are cost effective and is good value for money.India should move away from buying third rate and obsolete weapons from Russia.
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