The Indian Navy has sought a second troop carrier from the US to build on its newly acquired capabilities but Washington would have to clear the sale of the ship before a deal was negotiated, a senior US military officer said Saturday.
'The Indian Navy has expressed interest in the USS Nashville. Congress has not yet approved the ship for transfer (sale). That is likely to happen next year and we can then begin negotiations,' Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kohler, director of the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, told reporters here.
The Indian Navy had last month commissioned INS Jalashva, formerly the USS Trenton landing platform dock (LPD) it purchased for $53.5 million. The ship is expected to sail to India later this month from Norfolk, where it was extensively refitted after being decommissioned from the US Navy. |