U/S EDELMAN INFORMS DEFENSE SECRETARY DUTT AESA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 008017

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2021
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS MCAP KSTC KOMC IN
SUBJECT: U/S EDELMAN INFORMS DEFENSE SECRETARY DUTT AESA
RADAR IS ON THE TABLE FOR MRCA; NEW DRAFT LOA LANGUAGE
OFFERED - CORRECTED COPY

Classified By: DCM Geoffrey Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (U) This cable replaces New Delhi 7884, to reflect changes
made in the clearance process not included in the original.


2. (C) Summary. Undersecretary Eric Edelman told Indian
Defense Secretary Shekhar Dutt that the Department of Defense
has concluded that the U.S. would be prepared to make Active
Electronically Scanned Array(AESA) radar technology available
to U.S. companies competing for the expected Indian Request
for Proposal (RFP) for 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).
Dutt appeared delighted at the offer, and said an annex
would be added to the existing draft RFP to describe radar
specifications for the MRCA. The Indian side also presented
a draft End Use Monitoring (EUM) note for future Letters of
Offer and Acceptance (LOA),which it claims is consistent
with U.S. law but worded more to India's liking, and which
could become the standard text for future contracts. The two
also briefly discussed the situation in Afghanistan. End
Summary.

AESA Offer Makes U.S. Bids Superior
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3. (C) In a November 16 meeting on the margins of the Defense
Policy Group, Undersecretary Edelman expressed U.S. interest
in the RFP for the MRCA, noting the question of whether the
RFP would specify whether a mechanical or electronically
scanned radar would be required, and stated the DoD has
concluded that once an RFP comes out, the U.S. would be
prepared to make the electronically scanned AESA technology
available to U.S. companies competing for the contract. He
clarified that the radar would not be available for
co-production. He pointed out that AESA had previously been
made available to only one other country under similar
conditions, the United Arab Emirates, and stated the
inclusion of the AESA radar should make U.S. companies highly
competitive in the MRCA bid. He also noted that there would
end-use monitoring and transferability restrictions as well.


4. (C) Secretary Dutt said that the request for information
(RFI) discussions were designed to determine which equipment
would be specified in the RFP, and asked if AESA had been
briefed in previous discussions. General Kohler, also in
attendance, replied that the U.S. was not able to brief on
specific AESA radars before this decision to offer was made,
but said general capabilities of AESA had been discussed, and
offered a fuller briefing in the near future. Secretary Dutt
said a draft RFP for the MRCA was done in September and that
now a number of annexes are being added, stating the RFP was
in its final stages. He expressed appreciation for AESA
being offered and said the RFP would include radar
specifications. He encouraged a briefing to be set up
promptly.

India Offers Draft LOA Language
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NEW DELHI 00008017 002 OF 002




5. (C) The Indian side presented draft EUM language for use
in future LOAs that would be acceptable to India, asserting
the LOA it signed for the USS Trenton purchase contained
language India was uncomfortable with, particularly in regard
to end-use monitoring conditions for physical inspection.
Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (Americas)
Jaishankar explained that two of the four points in the draft
were taken from the Arms Export Control Act section 40(A) and
the 505 Agreement, while the other two points remained
consistent with the standard U.S. LOA text. U/S Edelman said
he would pass the proposed text to relevant authorities in
Washington for review.

Dutt Describes Indian Concerns On Afghanistan
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6. (C) Secretary Dutt described his concern over security in
Afghanistan, particularly in regard to India's
interests/personnel on the ground. He noted India's
involvement in road building, and said attacks on Indian
personnel draw large public reaction in India, and the GOI
has shown restraint in its response to such attacks. He
asserted Pakistan-based terrorists were involved in
destabilizing Afghanistan. U/S Edelman acknowledged the
difficulties of Afghan reconstruction and stressed the
importance of the work, while also describing U.S. efforts to
engage Pakistan on Afghan security.


7. (U) Undersecretary Edelman has cleared this cable.
MULFORD