Thread by @anshumig

(1/n) Why US arms suppliers are not ideal partners for Indi...yet!! @LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews

Arms Deals are foremost about delivering trustworthy, sustainable security to customers - in peace+war.
US suppliers do this well - but for Pak, not India.

livemint.com/news/india/loc…

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (2/n) US arms lobby's (LM) hardsell for supplying MLU/upgrades/new jets to Pak - from 2008 till 2016 - inspite of proliferation, OBL, etc. indicates a strong Pak bias, revealed here:

Must read for those wanting to know how US arms industry works.
library.clerk.house.gov/reference-file…

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (3/n) Refer previous.
This is a Congressional hearing which exposed Pak's proliferation record, repeated aggression against India, & fear that F16 tech would be shared with China, etc.
Not only did the sale go thru, but US adm was even ready to pay for it from US taxpayer money.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (4/n)
US Congress clearly voiced concerns:
- Are F16s ideal to fight terror? Are there better alternatives?
- We can give them capacity, but do they have the 'will'? They express doubt about Pak's ability to fight extremism.
- About Pak's unconsciounable proliferation record.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (5/n)
US Congress concerns:
- PAF thus far had rarely used F16s for counter-terror. As far as AMRAAMs are concerned, wasn't India the only actor against whom this would be applicable?
- F16 images adorn trucks in Pak. Agreed. Why should that symbolism be a motivation for sale?

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (6/n)
US Congress concerns:
- With Mush gone and Zardari in (regards to corruption in government), why is the administration not reevaluating relations?
- Re. IndoPak. Pakistan invaded India in each war, vis-a-vis 'wars happened' which was the arms lobby/adm justification.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (7/n) US Congress concerns:
- Supplying F16s is not only symbolic, but can further the arms race.
- They do not help build confidence in a peaceful resolution of the situation.
- Symbolism (F16 as a harbinger of good US-Pak relations) cannot build will or ability to fight.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (8/n) US Congress concerns:
- The arms lobby/adm trusting Pakistan, but not the US Congress to even tell them the vetting used to trust Pak with the technology.
- What if the end-user-agreement was violated? Adm answers- 'correct the deficiency OR leave it to a policy decision'.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (9/n) US Adm/Arms lobby justification for Pak F16 sale/upgrade:
- Make the platform effective against terror targets
- F16 is an iconic symbol of US commitment to Pak
- This sale will help overturn decades of bitterness between US-Pak
- Will stabilise mil balance in South Asia

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (10/n) US Adm/Army lobby justification:
- Restore Pak's confidence in enduring nature of US-Pak relationship
- F16 is a barometer of overall state of US-Pak relationship
- Tangible and symbolic importance of Pak F16 program to the US
- Overcome deficit of trust (due Pressler)

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (11/n) US Adm/Arms lobby justification:
- Current fleet (2008) isn't night capable, has basic precision targeting, no advanced comms, +no trg for AAR, Night flg, CSAR, CAS.
This pgm will lead to 'greater willingness' on the part of Pak mil. to employ F16 for Counter-terrorism.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (12/n) US Adm/Army lobby justification:
- In Pak, there are trucks emblazoned with F16s. That has become a symbol of Pakistan's pride.
- It will make clear to Pak that we are there for the long term. We are with Pak through thick and thin.
- PAF doesn't measure up to IAF (Su/M29)

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (13/n) US Adm/Arms lobby justification:
-US servicemen and US leadership in Afg.+Pentagon support the F16 sale/upgrade to Pak
-Pak will use the upgrade/eqpt in the way it is prescribed
- These funds are critical to make sure @LockheedMartin is not left hanging out there.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (14/n)
Adm/Arms lobby also says:
-India was not consulted re. this sale.

Mike Pence adds:
- The F16 transfer (to Pak) is partly a reward or an encouragement for help on counter-terrorism.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (15/n) About Indo-Pak wars,

Congress: Pak invaded India in each of those instances.

Reply: You'd have differening interpretations depending on which side of the border you're on.

Congress: If you're on the side of the border than troops are coming into, you're being invaded!

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (16/n) Facts:
- This was 2008. Osama was being sheltered by Pak
- Pak had full intention of using F16 against India. US knew about it
- Arms lobby/US Adm were even ready to pay through US tax payer money
- In spite of all concerns, sale went through
- There was a repeat in 2016.

@LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews (17/17)
Is #MakeInIndia #SkillIndia the best pitch that @LockheedMartin @LMIndiaNews can make?
- Can they stop supporting terror haven Pak. Ensure no support for F16s?
- How can they 'symbolise' lasting partnership with India? With the #F35 maybe?

@IAF_MCC @DefenceMinIndia