India could get US invite for F-35 first flight

Published: Sep 28, 2005
Source: www.indianexpress.com



NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 27: As Washington's most ambitious and classified fighter aircraft—the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)—readies for a first flight next year, the Pentagon is preparing to extend a special invitation to New Delhi to witness the event at Fort Worth, Texas. This is significant given that India is not a partner country in the multi-billion dollar project.

A senior source at the US Embassy here told The Indian Express, ‘‘In a sense, the programme is closed to non-partner countries. But with the new Indo-US strategic partnership, the US government feels it is appropriate to keep India abreast of the latest technology. It augurs well for future cooperation.’’


Expected to be a high-profile event, the invitees are likely to include the IAF chief, the Defence Secretary and senior South Block officials.continue..