The Indian media appeared material, which states that, the United States with a new enthusiasm to convince India to purchase their game F-18 fighters. Recall, that for many years the Indian authorities have not been able to decide, which fighters should they buy as part of the modernization program for their fleet. The first contract concerns 32 french rafale. Now New Delhi is reasoning, which fighters to choose when concluding a contract for more than a hundred combat aircraft. Fighter-bomber F-18 among them.
Against this background, the commander of the Pacific Fleet Command of the US Navy, Admiral John Aquilino, "strongly recommends" India to acquire exactly the F-18, to "strengthen its aircraft carrier component". According to the American admiral, this "will help India to strengthen engagement with the US for greater security in the face of the growing Chinese threat.".
Admiral of the United States Navy explained, why India "should" buy American carrier-based fighters, So:
We are concerned about the growing threat from China, therefore our countries (USA and India) it would be beneficial to have the same weapons. So it will be as effective as possible to resist the threat during the crisis. And it will be easier for us to work together. It is already clear, that China is building aircraft carriers for the purpose of, that at least one of them be present in the Indian Ocean.
Indian media confirmed, that the US is proposing the acquisition of several F / A-18 Super Hornets to equip the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant under construction in India.
Meanwhile, Indian military experts suggest, that for equipping "Vikrant" India, probably, will prefer cheaper Russian-made fighters. At the same time, some experts openly criticize the Indian authorities for delaying the decision.:
As long as we choose, what fighters and from whom to buy, the leading countries in the military-technical plan of the world build their own combat aircraft. We're marking time.
