US sells stinger missiles to India

This short range missile is part of the weapons package proposed for the Apache -64 D ,22 attack helicopters that are currently under consideration.

Stinger missiles have been used effectively against the Soviet Union and were used to knock of their helicopters during the Afghan war in the 198o's by the Afghan Mujaheddin.

Once these deals are concluded the helicopters are likely to be deployed near the borders of Pakistan and China.

Attack helicopters are very effective in taking out enemy installations, taking out bunkers and army units advancing tank formations as well as attacking artillery, so it doesn't make sense for them to be based in the hinterland.

Observers say that the decision to sell stinger missiles to India comers at a time when there are internal tensions brewing within Pakistan and with its long term allay the United States.

it is a very complex state of affairs where the the US, the civilian government of Pakistan and the Pakistan military are entrenched and it remains to be seen how this works out because this region is very crucial to stability not only in the south Asian but the central Asian region .

Various versions of the Stinger missiles that are manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems in the United States under license by EADS in Germany, are in use by militaries of 29 other countries

About 70000 of them have been produced since 1981 and according to reports in the media it has been responsible for striking down some 270 aircrafts.

There was a lot of disappointment in Washington when the Americans suffered due to being knocked of the multi role combat aircraft and the Europeans companies were shortlisted.

Over the last few years India on its part has been trying to make good the loss and has concluded deals worth 13 billion dollars with the US. This included a range of transport aircraft, included maritime reconnaissance aircraft and weapon locating radar.