June 17, 2005 :: AFP :: News
Stephen Rademaker, U.S. assistant secretary of state for arms control, told reporters on Thursday that the U.S. is willing to discuss supplying missile defense systems to India. The AFP quotes Rademaker, speaking from New Delhi, as saying, “We are willing to talk to India about missile defense. Missile defense is very expensive. So, it is not something that India will enter into lightly.” He urged New Delhi to spell out regulatory mechanisms for controlling exports of sensitive technologies. Rademaker’s comments coincide with reports that the U.S. has agreed to sell to India the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) system.
On June 15 The Indian Express reported that the U.S. has already cleared the sale of PAC-3 anti-missile interceptors. The decision came on the eve of Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to the U.S. this month, and represents a significant step toward closer military relations between the two countries. The PAC-3, unlike previous models, relies on hit-to-kill technology to eliminate short- and medium-range missiles. (Article)
» June 15, 2005: The Indian Express on PAC-3 sales to India
» More stories on: Allies, India
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
