India: F-16s and the Regional Balance of Power

Authorized to procure 126 combat aircraft, the Indian Air Force is considering designs from France, Russia, Sweden and the United States. So far, Dassault from France and Lockheed-Martin from the United States seem to be in the strongest positions to compete for the contract, which will be worth billions. Supplying arms to New Delhi would be a dramatic change in U.S. policy, which has embargoed weapons to India since the 1998 nuclear tests, and could complicate relations with Pakistan, a major ally in Washington's war on terrorism.