WASHINGTON – The trajectory of the India-US defence ties in the fighter jetsegment depends on New Delhi’s decision on the F-16 and F-18 warplanesbeing offered by the US, a top Defence Department official has said.

A positive decision by India could be a precursor to advancedfifth-generation fighter technology, Joe Felter, Deputy Assistant Secretaryof Defence for South and Southeast Asia said, adding that the Trumpadministration would like a closer co-operation with India on fighter jets.

“So, starting down the path of fighter cooperation beginning with the(F-16) Block 70 or F-18, I think would be a great signal that the India(is) serious about the level of cooperation that we think would be inIndia’s interest and could potentially, if we stay on this trajectory, leadto even closer cooperation, and even more advanced technology beingoffered,” Felter told PTI in an exclusive interview.

“..I think it would be a natural progression to discuss at a later datesharing even more advanced fighter technology (maybe even fifth generationfighters),” he said.

The US is also considering New Delhi’s interest in armed drones for its airforce, the official said, noting that neither have they received any offernor have they made any decision on this count.

“It would be natural for India to want them. We would have to consider thisrequest but it hasn’t been offered on our side yet. We are aware of theirinterest and we are considering that. But we haven’t made any decisions,”he said.

Last year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, Trump hadagreed to sell unarmed drones to India so as to enhance India’ssurveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean.

Asked about the fifth generation F-35 fighter jets, the official said therewas no move from either side as was being reported in the media. The F-18deal, however, was very much on the table, the official said.

“Our F-18, is the twin-engine fighter that India may consider for futurepurchases. It serves the US very well and has a cutting-edge technology,”Felter said, adding that India adopting the F-18 would be one potentialexample of India-US closer cooperation in naval aviation.

“There would be better interoperability if we’re flying similar platforms.We appreciate India is going to review its options and make a choice atsome point in the time of their choosing,” he said.

Noting that the US has offered the Block 70 version of the F-16, he said itwas a technologically very advanced fighter. “It’s superior to the platformthat Israel flies for example. It is referred to as having generation 4.5level of technology given it shares some of the same components as the F35Joint Strike Fighter,” he said.

“..This is a very, very advanced a platform – it shares some of the verysame components that our most advanced fifth generation fighter does forexample,” he said.

Furthermore, Felter said, choosing the Block 70 fighter would mean that itsentire production line would move to India which was consistent with NewDelhi’s ‘Make in India’ priority.

“..The fact that it will be made in India would make it possible for Indiapotentially supply other partners in the region with this advanced fighterplatform,” Felter said.

But, the official said, the US has not made any other offers right now. “Weare not in a position to make any offers right now, but given thetrajectory of the relationship, we think identifying opportunities for evencloser cooperation on fighters to include some of our most advancedfighters maybe even fifth generation fighters is a natural discussion tohave at some point down the road,” Felter said.

“Adopting the Block 70 version of the F-16 would be a very positive stepdown that path (towards fifth generation),” he said.Responding to a specific question on the sale of F-35 to India, he said theUS has made no such offer as of now.

“I have read that in the press. We have not made any offer, nor has it beenformally requested. I think it’s aspirational,” he said.