India signs 1.4 US million air defence deal with Israel

August 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's arms imports are expected to touch $30 billion by 2012 even as the domestic defence market is poised to grow to $700 million in five years, according to an industry lobby report. The report submitted to the defence ministry by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) said: "India's arms imports alone would rise to $30 billion by 2012." "The Defence Offset Facilitation Agency (DOFA) and the armed forces in consultation with India Inc should work out a comprehensive strategy to ensure that defence imports happen at extremely competitive rates," Assocham president Sajjan Jindal said.

July 24th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The end-user verification agreement for easing high-end defence purchases India has struck with the US does not involve automatic access to Indian defence bases, official sources said Friday. Despite initial apprehensions, India agreed during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit July 20 to the end-user agreement that will allow the US to monitor the end use of the arms and sensitive technologies sold to India and ensure that they are not diverted to other countries.

July 23rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) has led the opposition in criticising the End Use Monitoring Agreement with the US for defence equipment purchases but has no alternative suggestions to offer. It is not our job to suggest a way out, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said here Thursday when asked to suggest any alternatives to the pact that will enable the US to inspect where and how the military hardware India would purchase from them is put to use.

July 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A French delegation arrived here Thursday to hold discussions on the Rs.9,500-crore (Rs.9.5 billion) worth upgrade contract for the Mirage combat jets, a defence official said. This will be the the second biggest defence deal that will be struck with France after the Rs 18,798-crore (Rs.187.98 billion) Scorpene submarine project.

June 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India has singed a $397 million deal with Ukraine to modernise its aging transport aircraft fleet, defence sources said here Wednesday. The move comes a week after the crash of an AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Arunachal Pradesh, killing 13 people.

June 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India has blacklisted seven defence companies, including Israeli Military Industries and three Indian companies, figuring in a corruption case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and has "put on hold" all the deals with them. "Taking a tough stand against corruption, Defence Minister A.K.

May 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Defence Minister A K Antony on Thursday said that he was 'anxious' to get timely delivery of defence procurements as it controls rise in costs, and wants suppliers to fulfil their commitment in time. "I conveyed my anxieties to both of them, Israeli and Russian ambassadors, here that they will deliver the remaining two AWACS in time.

May 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Sending out a stern message against corruption in defence equipment procurement, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Wednesday said contracts will be ruthlessly cancelled if any malpractices were found.

May 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Advocating "eternal vigilance", A.K. Antony Monday expressed concern over the security scenario around India and spelt out priority areas in his second term as defence minister -- infrastructure development in northeast and border areas, modernisation of the armed forces and welfare of the troops.

April 24th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday attacked the Manmohan Singh government for 'forging a deep security and military collaboration with Israel' and raised questions about the launching of Israeli spy satellites by India. The CPI-M, which fiercely opposed the India-US nuclear deal, accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of 'obfuscating' facts about the launch of Israeli satellites and alleged this collaboration was part of the 'overall India-Israel-US axis'.

April 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Close on the heels of a $2 billion missile deal with the Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI), India has signed yet another deal with an Israeli defence company to build a munition factory in Bihar forgoing the mandatory offset clause, a senior official said. The Rs.12 billion/$240 million deal with the Israel Military Industries Ltd.

March 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Army chief General Deepak Kapoor will undertake an official visit to France from today. During his four-day visit, the Army chief will interact with senior military and civilian defence hierarchy and discuss various contemporary defence related issues.

March 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India has signed a $1.4 billion deal with Israel for the supply of an anti-missile air defence system in what is the biggest defence deal between the two countries. Under the deal signed Feb 27, Israel will develop and manufacture seaborne and shore-based systems against missile attacks on India, Israeli business daily Globes said.

March 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Accusing the UPA government of the 'biggest betrayal' by forging a strategic alliance with the US, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday said it would 'review and rework' the India-US nuclear deal. While unveiling the party's election manifesto, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat, a key player in an emerging Third Front of non-Congress and non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties, also promised an independent foreign policy if it comes to power.

February 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's Left parties Tuesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to cancel a Rs.100 billion contract for an Israeli air defence missile system and ensure that the indigenous development of a similar weapon 'is not subverted'. In a letter to Manmohan Singh, Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI general secretary A.B.