Letter of the day
Sir, You report that the UK government had hoped to sell our current Harrier aircraft to India but that P.V.Naik, head of the Indian Air Force, described the UK's Harriers as "iffy".
He has indicated that India plans to buy a more advanced fleet. India's navy currently plans to have three aircraft carriers, one on each flank of the country and one in reserve or under maintenance.
For each of the last three years India has had more aid from the UK than any other country and according to the Department of International Development received £295m directly from the UK government in 2009-10. The DfID's strategy and the Prime Minister's comments in Delhi earlier this year indicate that it is planned to increase this amount during the next five years. This expenditure would cover the costs of keeping the Harriers flying until their end date of 2020 and would avoid the currently planned position of this country having aircraft carriers with no aircraft.
I wonder if the government should adopt a policy of not giving aid to countries that choose to buy better military capabilities that we can ourselves apparently afford?
Sir Paul Judge
(Today's FT)
posted by Whispering Walls at 10:02 am
7 Comments:
There's always France!
What's the betting the Indian Navy rubs salt into the wound and orders French Rafales when President Sarkozy visits Delhi on a state visit next month ?
Good point.
Please research how much UK gave in aid to Pakistan. Maybe they will appreciate some GR.9s in aid too, as the best they can get are Chinese copies of 60's vintage aircraft. But maybe they won't appreciate them as their suicide bombers won't be able to use these aircraft in London tube.
Don't be so iffy Paul. India has bestowed upon britain an order worth billions for the Hawk. And the british have done themselves proud by supplying sub-standard and rusty parts and junk aircraft ... in return for billions. Most Indians think India should have terminated the contract. How about thank you?
Paul,
British Government gives AID to NGO's in India, not the Indian Government. They do that, mostly to attain influence over India and its people, not because they are all bleeding heart liberals. Lets not talk about money in such a way, then India might have to demand compensation for all the loot, murder, rape and not to mention the lives they gave in defense of Britain for 200 years. So lets not do any moral grandstanding, take our money and sell if you want too, or there are others who will in a heart beat
Glad to see this post has started a debate!
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