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France is in talks on providing high-tech missile and radar systems for a jet fighter that Pakistan is developing with China, a Defense Ministry official confirmed Tuesday.

Such a deal on Pakistan's JF-17 fighter would likely be opposed by the United States and Taiwan, analysts have said, out of concern that China could reap sensitive military technology.

Bruno Berthet, assistant director for international development at the French Defense Ministry, said France is considering such concerns as it works toward signing a provisional deal that could allow Pakistan to obtain air-to-air missiles from France's MBDA and radars from Thales.

No deal has been reached, "but the talks are on the right track, and there are diplomatic comings and goings between the two countries," Berthet told The Associated Press on the sidelines of a news conference. He said it was too early to say when a memorandum of understanding might be signed.

Not to make trouble but how is this any different then Boeing offering the top of the line new SH & radar to India? Don't the Indian's have a close relationship with the Russians?

We are trying to ditch the Pakistanis who are PRC stooges and our defacto enemies of the last two decades, and coax India into the light. Because of Nixon and long Indian memories we have to take some risks to prove our bona fides.

Herald 

The EU has as much threat from China as the US does.  This isnt the mid 20th century anymore.  The world is, to use a frankly entirely overused word, globalized.  If the PRC decides to go nuts it isnt going to be some minor conflict that only effects the U.S. it will come around and effect everyone who trades or associates with the U.S.   To say that only the U.S. feels a military threat from China and thus France shouldnt worry about them copying anything is ridiculously shortsighted.  You cant say "I am so furious!!!!" and then dismiss the reason why you are furious in the next sentence.  Either you are furious becuase its a stupid decision that shouldnt happen or you arent furious because it doesnt really matter.  Add to that the Chinese could easily turn around and sell said tech as their own for far cheaper and cheat you out of new customers later on. 

 

At any rate, exposing your countries top-of-the-line technology to potential threat nations, even if its not the best or can't be knocked-off to quite the quality of the original, is bad policy.  Sure, its just technology but in the end that technology is meant to kill your soldiers.  Any advantage ceded to the enemy means higher casualties for you. 

Herald :

""
We are trying to ditch the Pakistanis who are PRC stooges and our defacto enemies of the last two decades""



You 're trying to what ? To ditch the Pakistanis ? LOLOL ! Obviously , you forget what the US Gov is doing with the Pak Gov ...

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I am furious , France shouldn 't sell anything to Pakistan , not even a
toothbrush . N. Sarkozy should cancel the deal right now and have a
strong talk with the people of MBDA and Thales .

Pakistan will probably be the next threat we 'll have to deal with , no need to sell them weapons .



Cheers .