Under pressure from the Pentagon, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been forced to back out of a joint partnership with a Swedish aerospace company to compete in a multi-billion dollar tender to sell new multi-role fighter jets to the Indian Air Force.
The Defense Ministry ordered IAI to back out of the deal after the Pentagon expressed concern that American technology, used by Israel, would be integrated into the Gripen offered to the Indians.
"The stated concern was that Western technology in Israeli hands would make its way to the Indians," one Israeli official said.
What was strange with the American request was that Boeing and Lockheed Martin - the two largest US defense contractors - are also competing for the Indian deal. For this reason, Israeli officials said it was more likely that the Americans were concerned that if IAI competed for the deal with Saab, it would force the American companies to lower their prices.
A multi-role fighter, the Gripen is in service in Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa. IAI was supposed to provide the electronic systems - radar, communications and electronic-warfare - for the plane.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443717576&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
IMO this shows that With Israeli gear on board the Grippen may have actually had a very decent chance in the tender. Ironically any plane we buy (Be it Euro/Russo/American) will have to have Israeli gear on board. Specially EW/ECM/Software for ordanance, etc.
![[linked image]](http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Images2/0523_small.jpg)
R.K. Laxman, India's renowned cartoonist, honours the hardy & humble Indian Jawan
AKA KRONICFEVER
