India becomes third biggest US arms purchaser

[Galaxy]

India becomes third biggest US arms purchaser


Thursday, December 08, 2011

Washington: Just years after US resumed weapons sales to New Delhi, India has jumped to become third biggest arms purchaser from America logging contracts worth over USD 4.5 billion last year alone.

Had the US firms bagged India's biggest ever deal for fighter jets, New Delhi would have been on the top spot of American arms sales worldwide, according to a Pentagon report.

Even though the US firms lost the bid for an estimated USD 10 billion contract for sale of 126 jets to Indian Air Force (IAF), India was listed as the third largest purchaser of US arms through the government to government channel Foreign Military Sales (FMS) by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Pentagon agency that overlooks such sales.

Topping the list for the fiscal year 2011 ending September 30, 2011 were Afghan Security Forces (USD 5.4 billion) followed by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (USD 4.9 billion).

Australia with USD 3.9 billion occupies the fourth spot, followed by Saudi Arabia (USD 3.5 billion), Iraq (USD 2.0 billion), the UAE (USD 1.5 billion), Israel (USD 1.4 billion), Japan (USD 0.5 billion) and Sweden (USD 0.5 billion).

American arms sales to India include Naval Reconnaissance planes, giant transporters, sea-skimming missiles and other weapon systems.

US Foreign Military Sales passed the USD 30 billion mark for the fourth consecutive year, with the 2011 figure starting USD 34.8 billion.

PTI

India becomes third biggest US arms purchaser

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

Now it is time make our own ARMS rather than depending on the Americans. We have encourage the young scientists and their ideas and spend more and more money for research and development.

 

[binayak95]

India is enjoying the best of both worlds. We are getting state of the ART tech from the US as well as developing custom tech in JVs with Russia and Israel

 

[Galaxy]

India's is also No. 1 arm purchaser from Russia and Israel. It's matter of time, Then we become No. 1 for U.S too.

If we Buy Rafale and Mistral LPD/more Submarines, then we might become No. 1 for France too.

But this is not something to be proud of. It shows our defence Industry is still weak.

 

[amitkriit]

Over dependence on so many different sources might hamper our defense preparedness. Do we wish to go into battlefield with 99% readiness?

 

[Bangalorean]

I hope no one is happy. This is a matter of shame.

I am sick and tired of our defence PSUs and their lacklustre performance. Enough already with these regressive organizations pulling back the country's progress!

It is a different matter than when there is talk of privatization and a real military-industrial complex, the entire opposition will scream out and bawl about "selling India's sovereignty".

 

[kickok1975]

It's not a glory for India to be the biggest importer for foreign weapon. Rather India should focus on how to become a self sufficient country

 

[Illusive]

Getting the work done by deadline should be the 1st priority, whether be it foreign procurement or be it our own completion and induction process. We always or rather prone to fail in this regard.

 

[Blackwater]

But where are the arms. Zameen kha gayi ya assmaan nigal gaya. can't see arms on ground

 

[Blackwater]

It's not a glory for India to be the biggest importer for foreign weapon. Rather India should focus on how to become a self sufficient country

We failed to become self sufficient in the last 63 yrs that's y we are no.3 arm importer...should i tel you y ?

 

[nrj]

Before blaming DPSUs for everything, please keep in mind that we suffered sactions.

Defense industry policy was formed very late.

'90 allowed no space because we were almost bankrupt.

GOI has allowed domestic private players in this sector only recently.

Blame successive Govts for not following up this issue. Blame corruption in armed forces at top level.


Sent from GT-I9100

 

[Zebra]

India's is also No. 1 arm purchaser from Russia and Israel. It's matter of time, Then we become No. 1 for U.S too.

If we Buy Rafale and Mistral LPD/more Submarines, then we might become No. 1 for France too.

But this is not something to be proud of. It shows our defence Industry is still weak.

bcz our government want it to stay weak .

 

[charlyondfi]

Before blaming DPSUs for everything, please keep in mind that we suffered sactions.
Defense industry policy was formed very late.
'90 allowed no space because we were almost bankrupt.
GOI has allowed domestic private players in this sector only recently.
Blame successive Govts for not following up this issue. Blame corruption in armed forces at top level.
Sent from GT-I9100

I agree w/ nrj analysis - a very honest review of all the restriction & self wrong doing. A good start for everything.
No need to mourn for before, but positively & proactively plan for next step.
The will to make things done, the will to see Indian a great people, and a transparent-enough system. Self inspiration is nevertheless the best energy.

 

[ejazr]

India is third largest buyer of US arms with contracts worth $4.5 bn

India is third largest buyer of US arms with contracts worth $4.5 bn - The Economic Times

WASHINGTON: India has emerged as the third largest purchaser of US arms with contracts worth $4.5 billion last year alone as US weapons sales rose to $34.8 billion in fiscal 2011, according to a Pentagon report.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, the Pentagon agency that oversees foreign arms sales, said sales in the fiscal that ended Sep 30 topped $30 billion for the fourth consecutive year after reaching $31.6 billion in fiscal 2010.

The Pentagon said government-to-government foreign military sales totalled $28.3 billion in fiscal 2011, while other sales managed by various government agencies reached $6.5 billion. The Pentagon had projected government-to-government sales would reach $36.3 billion for the year ending Sep 30.

Afghanistan, Taiwan, India, Australia and Saudi Arabia were the top buyers of US arms last year, the Defence Department said. Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Japan and Sweden were the next largest buyers.

The top ten FMS customers for fiscal 2011 were the Afghan Security Forces ($5.4 billion); Taiwan (US $4.9 billion); India ($4.5 billion); Australia ($3.9 billion); Saudi Arabia ($3.5 billion); Iraq ($2.0 billion); the United Arab Emirates ($1.5 billion); Israel ($1.4 billion); Japan ($0.5 billion); and Sweden ($0.5 billion).

The DSCA said it expected foreign military sales were expected to continue to be about $30 billion for fiscal 2012, but official projections were still being calculated.