Incoming P-E Trump may have a s--t fit when he realizes this is happening
ST LOUIS POST DISPATCH – As a new American president bent on
retaining American jobs prepares to take office, the Obama administration and
the U.S. defense industry are working on a deal with the Indian government to
build iconic U.S. combat aircraft in India.
In
recent months, Lockheed Martin and Boeing have made proposals to the Indian
government to manufacture fighter jets — the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the
F/A-18 Super Hornet — in India as the country seeks to modernize its rapidly
aging fleet of largely Russian-built airplanes.
In
both cases, the aviation companies would be building production facilities in
India; Lockheed Martin proposes to move its entire F-16 assembly line from
Texas to India, making India the sole producer of the single-engine combat
aircraft.
The
U.S. military is phasing out the F-16 for its own use, but other countries
remain as likely customers.
The
proposals have the strong backing of the Obama administration, which has sought
a closer connection with the Indian military in recent years. Air Force
Secretary Deborah Lee James said she was “optimistic” about the prospect of a
deal after a visit to New Delhi in August, and Defense Secretary Ashton B.
Carter is set to return to India next week, with procurement high atop the list
of discussion topics.
Moving American
jobs to india? How dare Boeing and Lockheed!