US to India: Buy American, Not Russian

TEHRAN (Defapress)-“If we want to see that continue and I think both we and our Indian friends want to do that, then it’s incumbent on us to give them the best case and hopefully that will engender a willingness on the part of the Indian government to think about our systems as they go forward in their procurement,” Tina Kaidanow, principal deputy assistant secretary of the State Department’s Political-Military Affairs Bureau, told reporters, according to Defense One.

“The acquisition of these systems is… beneficial to the Russian government,” Kaidanow said, adding that “our distinct hope is that other countries will take that into account as they make their decisions”.

“American defense product is great product — it is the best in the world. It’s central that countries really think about when they acquire these things — and particularly when we’re talking about important systems like fighters — that they think about the quality and the interoperability piece and all of the things that we know come with the acquisition of American products,” Kaidanow stated.

India has decided to proceed with the long-anticipated $5.5 bln deal to purchase Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air missile units despite the US saying the purchase may affect the relations between Washington and New Dehli.

India’s Defense Ministry is to ask the apex Cabinet Committee to approve the purchase of the five S-400 Triumf systems, thus finalizing the agreement, according to the Hindustan Times.

The deal is set to go through despite the fact that the President Donald Trump administration warning New Delhi of the possible ramifications of India’s intention to cultivate military ties with Russia, that would imminently jeopardise its relations with the US.

“There is a lot of concern in the US administration and Congress with the S-400,” House Armed Services Committee chairman Mac Thornberry told India’s Economic Times daily.

He urged New Delhi not to rush and carefully consider all potential consequences of purchasing advanced Russian weapons, adding that “there is concern that any country that acquires the system will complicate the ability of interoperability (with US forces)”.

“The acquisition of this technology will limit, I am afraid, the degree with which the United States will feel comfortable in bringing additional technology into whatever country we are talking about,” Thornberry said in a separate interview with NDTV.

In case the purchase officially goes through, the US administration's reaction might go as far as punishing India for violating the sanctions imposed against Russia.

Forced to choose between Russia and the US, New Delhi highlightedthe need for a strong air defense given the fact the neighbouring China and Pakistan have already obtained advanced aerial capabilities.

India’s decision to rely on the Russian-made S-400 systems that have drawn a lot of interest from international buyers, could jeopardize sales of US-built Predator drones and Patriot missile defense systems. Though the US has been talking up the effectiveness of Patriots, the missile has reportedly been less than effective when used recently by Saudi Arabia.

According to NATO classification, S-400 Triumf is Russia's most advanced air defense hardware, boasting unique and unparalleled capabilities. Capable of firing three types of missiles create a layered defense, the S-400 integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, missile launchers and command posts. It can bring down aircrafts as well as missiles at the range of up to 400km.

With Russia being India’s largest arms supplier, Moscow accounted for 62 percent of arms sales to New Delhi over the past five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Institute.

India is not the only country that has been experiencing tough pressuring from Washington. The US has been very explicit in its criticism of its "strategic partner", Turkey and its deal with Russia to purchase the S-400 systems.

According to State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, Washington is seriously concerned about the fact Turkey as a NATO member would choose to purchase weapons not made in the US. In a bid to pressure Ankara, Assistant US Secretary Wess Mitchell said that unless Turkey backed out, the purchase "could lead to sanctions”.

Testifying before the House Foreign Relations committee last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US was making efforts to “keep the Turks in a place where they will never acquire the S-400”.

Moreover, US lawmakers introduced a bill which would virtually ban F-35 deliveries to Turkey to punish it for its increased "hostility”. The US has also criticized Ankara over the announcement it would look elsewhere in case Washington failed to deliver the F-35s.

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