NEW DELHI, Feb 20: A high-powered US defence team headed by a top military commander arrived here in the Indian capital on Wednesday, to negotiate the sale of a radar system which locates enemy battlefield weapons.
US Army Major General Bruce Scott and his team were discussing the possible sale to the Indian government of “Fire-Finders”, or weapons-locating radar, US embassy officials told reporters at an international defence exhibition in New Delhi.
“The agreement will be, for the Indian Army, the first major government-to-government purchase of military equipment from the United States,” a US embassy spokesman added.
The United States only recently lifted military and economic sanctions which were imposed after India conducted a string of nuclear tests in May 1998.
US Ambassador Robert Blackwill said the possible sale of Fire-Finders would mark the opening of India’s doors to the American defence industry.
“We are interested in (selling) the Fire-Finder and it is up to the Indian government to decide,” Blackwill said.
“US defence sales to India marks a transformation of our relationship as there is joint recognition in both governments that in the war against terrorism we are together.”
Scott, the commanding general of the US Army Security Assistance Command, said negotiations were underway with the Indian defence ministry over the sale of the fire-finder radar.
“I have bought over a very technical team and they will be discussing the details,” Scott said.
He declined to give details such as the cost of the radar system, delivery schedules or technology transfer provisions in the proposed agreement.
India artillery posts were accurately attacked by Pakistani gunners with the help of the US-made fire-finders during a border conflict in the Kargil sector of Kashmir in 1999. Scott’s team arrived in New Delhi two days after General Richard Myers, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, visited India to broaden military ties.—AFP
