Washington: The US Congress has cleared
the sale of C-17 Globemaster III strategic aircraft for India,
ahead of the crucial Cabinet-level Strategic Dialogue between
the two countries.
The Obama Administration had in April notified the US
Congress of the potential sale of 10 C-17 aircraft to India
and sought approval in this regard.
A senior Boeing official based in India told PTI that
the US Congress has technically cleared the sale of C-17 to
the Indian Air Force, which would use these aircraft for its
tactial logistics operations.
"The aircraft are being sold to India under the US
Government`s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, with the
maximum package value of USD 5.8 billion. That includes the 3.
8 per cent administrative fee that the government charges to
ensure timely delivery and guarantee the supplies," reported
India Strategic in its latest issue.
A senior Obama Administration official William Burns
had yesterday defended arms sale to India by arguing that this
commensurate with New Delhi`s expanding role as well as
America`s own interest.
PTI