The Hindu Business Line : F-16? Is it what my accountant gives every year?

SHEILA, Arun, Shivraj and a host of security agencies have been playing hide-n-seek in Kotla, as a rehearsal to the big event slated post-Baisakhi. For, on Ram Navami that falls on April 17, a different battle is going to be fought on the cricket pitch in K, even as two PMs — one ours, and the other, Pervez Musharraf — watch the game and talk about a different K, Kashmir. And, worryingly, Pervez has some new war-toys to show off!

Is that a `Made in China' toy?

No, the one that Rice sold to Pakistan is a US product. Maybe, you got mixed up with the JF series that www.sinodefence.com talks of. JF-17 (single-seat, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft) is `Joint Fighter' a.k.a. `Thunder' that Pakistan wants to produce jointly with China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corp.

I thought F-16 is what my accountant gives every year!

No, I think you're confusing the fighter jet with Form-16, a TDS certificate showing tax deducted at source, which also hits employees with as much force as a bomber. Last year, the FM said there's no need to give such certificate because the taxman will keep track of all tax paid and furnish a printout, god knows when. In the White House, when Condi told Bush, "Chiddu says no Form-16," the prez is said to have muttered, "Oh, they don't need our F-16."

What's F-16?

F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern US-built, multi-role jet fighter aircraft, in use by dozens of countries all over the world, explains Wikipedia. It was developed by General Dynamics, which, however, sold its aircraft manufacturing business to Lockheed in 1993. You can trace the jet's birth to about three decades backwards when the US Department of Defence compiled a set of specifications.

Kya daam hai?

Looks like you're eager to buy one, to add to your stable, perhaps because F-16 is touted as "a cost-effective workhorse." The price is $35 million a piece, that is, about Rs 175 crore each. In 1994, the `fly-away' price of an F-16 was $20 million. You still want one?

Why is Manmohan unhappy?

He feels sad that the US went hawking its jets to Pakistan just when we were pushing a peace bus across the border, and a whole team was already here for a gentleman's game. While the US makes statements in support of peace, the recent action is seen as driving a spoke in the wheel, and thus upsetting the power equation.

Is it true that F-16s are an outdated product?

A report datelined March 25, on www.f-16.net reads, "US Air Force receives last F-16." The Force has more than 2000 already. The new deal has saved some 5,000 jobs in the company, they say.

Should we not also...

That's what happens when arms race gets heated up, and each player gets hooked to a one-up game. Lockheed has offered to build better jets for India, if we so want; and there're other companies too. Thus, ultimately, as neighbours glare at each other, it would be a third party that benefits, as in the old Panchatantra story. Arms manufacturers are looking at something bigger, such as co-production of fighter jets in India.

SayCheek@TheHindu.co.in

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F-16? Is it what my accountant gives every year?