US disappointed by India?s aircraft rejection

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said two aircraft offered by the U.S. Government through the Foreign Military Sales process were not selected for procurement by the Indian Ministry of Defense.

U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer, who announced his resignation on Thursday, said: ?We are reviewing the documents received from the Government of India and are respectful of the procurement process. We are, however, deeply disappointed by this news.?

?We look forward to continuing to grow and develop our defense partnership with India and remain convinced that the United States offers our defense partners around the globe the world?s most advanced and reliable technology. I have been personally assured at the highest levels of the Indian government that the procurement process for this aircraft has been and will be transparent and fair,? he said.

Roemer said he is extremely confident that the Boeing F/A 18IN and Lockheed-Martin F-16IN would have provided the Indian Air Force an ?unbeatable? platform with proven technologies at a competitive price.