Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XIX, South Asia

225. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara⁰

JCSM-996 – 62

Washington, December 14, 1962.

SUBJECT

• Air Defense for India (U)

1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have conducted a separate review of the air defense problem in India in conjunction with their review of the report of the Special Presidential Mission to India (Harriman Report).¹

2. Based on the discussion of the various alternatives, as set forth in the Appendix hereto,² the Joint Chiefs of Staff conclude that:

a. The United Kingdom should assume over-all responsibility for implementing the air defense program for India, with materiel and training assistance from other Commonwealth countries and the United States.

b. US interests in the Indian situation require that a degree of material assistance be rendered to meet Indian demands for air defense support.

c. Providing a completely self-sufficient air defense capability to the Indian armed forces is militarily, politically, and economically unsound.

d. At this time, the US air defense commitment in the mid-range period (to end of Calendar Year 1963) should be limited to provision of three fixed radars in the Bihar-Assam area, and, on a longer term basis, three mobile radars and retrofit of three squadrons of Indian aircraft with Sidewinder missiles.

e. The United Kingdom, Canadian, and Australian commitment should provide for command and control communications, and fighter modernization (including air-to-air missiles) for 3 fighter squadrons, together with training support and operational assistance.

f. A US-UK team of air defense specialists should be sent to India to refine requirements within this commitment and prepare plans for siting equipment.

g. In recognition of the inadequacies of the foregoing measures, the United States at this time should approach the United Kingdom with the recommendation that the UK and Commonwealth Nations assure the Government of India that they will provide interim air defense forces to India in the event of renewed Chinese aggression if so requested. The position of the US on this matter should be that this Government will entertain requests from the Government of India for air defense forces in the event of renewed Chinese aggression, but that the US Government reserves the right of decision in this regard dependent upon the situation existing at the time of request.

h. Support for the Indian forces should be contingent upon Indian agreement that any Soviet military assistance will be limited to materiel and technical training in the use and maintenance of such Soviet materiel.

3. It is recommended that the Secretary of Defense:³

a. Approve the foregoing conclusions.

b. Request the Secretary of State to initiate discussions on this basis with the Commonwealth nations involved.

c. Also request the Secretary of State to:

(1) Inform the Government of India of US views and intentions with respect to air defense assistance.

(2) Obtain approval for a team of air defense specialists to visit India to work with the Indian armed forces in refining requirements in planning the utilization of US-furnished equipment.

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

George W. Anderson

⁴Acting Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff

0. Source: Department of State, S/S Files: Lot 70 D 265, NSC Subcommittee on South Asia. Top Secret.
1. See footnote 1, Document 215.
2. Not printed.
3. The source text does not indicate McNamara’s response to these recommendations.
4. Printed from a copy that indicates that Anderson signed the original.