1998 Embargo Lifted on Harrier, Sikorsky SH-3 Parts

The Indian Navy's Sea Harrier and SH-3 helicopter fleets have suffered serious spare parts availability problems since the US imposed sanctions after India's 1998 nuclear test. At times, as many as 30 to 40-percent of Indian aircraft have been grounded because of the spares shortages, according to Indian Navy Vice Chief of Naval Staff Admiral John DeSilva.

The Sea Harriers are the Navy's only combat airplanes, providing fleet defense and striking power; the Sea King helicopters are vital to protecting India's growing fleet from hostile submarines. The Sea Kings are American Sikorsky machines, and the Harriers were built by an Anglo-American partnership and incorporate many American components that require periodic servicing.

The word "sanctions" makes everyone think of a total embargo, but in this case supply was never completely cut off. Instead, Indian procurement officers had to work through British intermediaries who had to get individual authorizations to re-export United States-sourced products to India. This took time and added a lot of "hurry up and wait" to the Indian naval-aviation supply system.

While the Indian officers welcome the ability to buy direct, rather than endure indirect and unresponsive supply lines, the sanctions experience has made them leery of the USA as a supplier. The US, however, has three desires: one, to reward India for its cooperation in the war, which continues out of the public eye; two, to continue the improvements in bilateral relations begun in 2001; three, and perhaps most important, to gain a toehold in the growing Indian arms market.

India's traditional arms suppliers, Russia and France, can supply many things, but not advanced VSTOL aircraft that will follow the Harrier in US and European service. The US for its part would welcome another partner to share the cost -- and the risk -- for the V-35 VSTOL variant. Despite the definite differences between these nations, the common interests of these two populous and well-established free nations will continue to bring them together.

FMI: www.mod.nic.in