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Trump pressured to approve defense deals with India

By Ryan Maass
Trump adminstration defense leaders have been pressured to approve an F-16 co-production deal in addition to an MQ-9 Reaper export agreement with India by members of the U.S. Senate. Pictured, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
Trump adminstration defense leaders have been pressured to approve an F-16 co-production deal in addition to an MQ-9 Reaper export agreement with India by members of the U.S. Senate. Pictured, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

March 28 (UPI) -- Two U.S. Senators have penned letters to President Donald Trump encouraging him to green light two pending defense deals with the Indian government.

The letters, written by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas and Mark Warner, D-Va., were addressed to U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis and U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson.

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The first letter calls for the approval of a plan to co-produce F-16 fighter aircraft within India's borders. The second focuses on a pending agreement to export General Atomics-made Guardian unmanned aerial vehicles to the country.

For the F-16 deal, the senators argue it is imperative U.S.-based manufacturer Lockheed Martin secures more production contracts.

"Keeping the F-16 in production will help sustain a fleet of over 1,000 aircraft currently in the Air Force and help preserve thousands of American jobs," the first letter said.

The Indian government is currently deciding between the F-16 and the Saab-made Gripen aircraft. The senators add the competition presents an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between the countries.

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For the pending Reaper export agreement, the authors cite the strategic alliance between India and the United States.

"The security and stability of the Indo-Pacific is a key national security objective of the United States and is bolstered by a strong bilateral defense relationship with India," the senators continued. "Guardian, a non-lethal, maritime surveillance platform provides critical enabling technology and will further our mutual security objectives."

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