Congressman Joseph Crowley Urges State Department to Consider Sale of PAC-3 Weapons System to India
5/24/2004
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-07), Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, sent a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, urging him to strongly consider India’s request to purchase the U.S. Army Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) weapon system.
“It is now more important than ever that our nation be willing to help India deploy a capability to defend itself against a ballistic missile strike from an adversary or a rogue nation, or from an accidental launch from a friendly neighbor,†said Congressman Crowley. “This will enhance and create better safety in India and as a result a better safety in the U.S. Furthermore, this will create new jobs for Americans. India, the world’s largest democracy, imports 80% of its defense equipment, of which the U.S. has a very small share of the market. This would be a great opportunity for both countries, furthering our crucial ties and creating increased stability in the region.â€
The Government of India has asked the U.S. to assist them in deploying a missile defense capability. The Administration’s policy and export officials must give the PAC-3 request considerable scrutiny and review before the Executive and Legislative Branches can reach a final consent decision. Congressman Crowley has urged Secretary Powell to give India’s PAC-3 weapons system serious and expeditious consideration. The PAC-3 is purely defensive in nature.
Letter Attached.
Dear Secretary Powell:
I am aware that the Government of India has asked our country to assist them in deploying a missile defense capability. My understanding of India’s missile defense request is that the New Delhi government has specifically requested release to purchase the U. S. Army Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) weapon system. Understandably, the Administration’s policy and export officials must give the PAC-3 request considerable scrutiny and review before the Executive and Legislative Branches can reach a final consent decision. Accordingly, I strongly urge that your department give India’s PAC-3 weapon system request serious and expeditious consideration. Hopefully, when the review finally comes to closure, approval to sell the PAC-3 weapon system to New Delhi will be the result.
It is my understanding that the government of India was one of the first nations to fully endorse President Bush's decision to deploy a missile defense capability. I believe that our nation should share the fruits of our SDI investment to help our friends and allies deploy defensive shields in their countries to deter aggression. It seems only fitting then that we should be willing to export that capability to India, one of our strongest allies in South Asia. The PAC-3 missile is a defensive weapon designed for relatively low altitude engagement of ballistic missiles in their terminal phase of trajectories, and therefore should not cause a concern about triggering a potential international treaty violation, such as with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The PAC-3 Missile is purely defensive in nature and as such should not be perceived as capable of being reconfigured to launch offensive payloads, as described under the MTCR treaty criteria.
Mr. Secretary, I believe our nation should be willing to help India deploy a capability to defend itself against a ballistic missile strike from an adversary or a rogue nation, or from an accidental launch from a friendly neighbor.
I appreciate that there are complex policy issues that influence a decision on whether or not to sell PAC-3 to India, and we welcome hearing your views on this matter.
Sincerely,
Joseph Crowley
Member of Congress
http://crowley.house.gov/news/record.asp?id=488
5/24/2004
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-07), Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, sent a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, urging him to strongly consider India’s request to purchase the U.S. Army Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) weapon system.
“It is now more important than ever that our nation be willing to help India deploy a capability to defend itself against a ballistic missile strike from an adversary or a rogue nation, or from an accidental launch from a friendly neighbor,†said Congressman Crowley. “This will enhance and create better safety in India and as a result a better safety in the U.S. Furthermore, this will create new jobs for Americans. India, the world’s largest democracy, imports 80% of its defense equipment, of which the U.S. has a very small share of the market. This would be a great opportunity for both countries, furthering our crucial ties and creating increased stability in the region.â€
The Government of India has asked the U.S. to assist them in deploying a missile defense capability. The Administration’s policy and export officials must give the PAC-3 request considerable scrutiny and review before the Executive and Legislative Branches can reach a final consent decision. Congressman Crowley has urged Secretary Powell to give India’s PAC-3 weapons system serious and expeditious consideration. The PAC-3 is purely defensive in nature.
Letter Attached.
Dear Secretary Powell:
I am aware that the Government of India has asked our country to assist them in deploying a missile defense capability. My understanding of India’s missile defense request is that the New Delhi government has specifically requested release to purchase the U. S. Army Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) weapon system. Understandably, the Administration’s policy and export officials must give the PAC-3 request considerable scrutiny and review before the Executive and Legislative Branches can reach a final consent decision. Accordingly, I strongly urge that your department give India’s PAC-3 weapon system request serious and expeditious consideration. Hopefully, when the review finally comes to closure, approval to sell the PAC-3 weapon system to New Delhi will be the result.
It is my understanding that the government of India was one of the first nations to fully endorse President Bush's decision to deploy a missile defense capability. I believe that our nation should share the fruits of our SDI investment to help our friends and allies deploy defensive shields in their countries to deter aggression. It seems only fitting then that we should be willing to export that capability to India, one of our strongest allies in South Asia. The PAC-3 missile is a defensive weapon designed for relatively low altitude engagement of ballistic missiles in their terminal phase of trajectories, and therefore should not cause a concern about triggering a potential international treaty violation, such as with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The PAC-3 Missile is purely defensive in nature and as such should not be perceived as capable of being reconfigured to launch offensive payloads, as described under the MTCR treaty criteria.
Mr. Secretary, I believe our nation should be willing to help India deploy a capability to defend itself against a ballistic missile strike from an adversary or a rogue nation, or from an accidental launch from a friendly neighbor.
I appreciate that there are complex policy issues that influence a decision on whether or not to sell PAC-3 to India, and we welcome hearing your views on this matter.
Sincerely,
Joseph Crowley
Member of Congress
http://crowley.house.gov/news/record.asp?id=488
