India currently has an outdated system of weaponry, and the armed forces face a shortage of ammunition, submarines, helicopters, and fighter jets to mention a few of the items that are urgently needed, according to a report on NDTV, a media company that owns a news channel in India
The Indian Air Force needs at least 39 squadrons of fighter planes but has only 32, and its chief urged a closure of the $15 billion fighter jet deal with France’s Dassault Aviation for the supply of 126 Rafale fighters.
India last bought artillery guns in 1987, and thus, just modernizing the artillery is estimated at $5 billion. 100 Naval Multi-Role Helicopters and additional Naval Utility Helicopters will cost approximately $13 billion.
New Delhi also wants the Indian private sector to acquire technology from foreign companies and set up joint ventures or JVs in India. Foreign manufacturers have also been allowed to own as much as 49% in such JVs.
Manohar Parrikar, India’s new Minister for Defense, was sworn in on November 10, 2014. Relinquishing his former role as chief minister for the western state of Goa, Mr. Parrikar has moved to Delhi to join the federal government.
Admiral Shekhar Sinha, the former chairman of the Integrated Defense Staff opined that foreign weapons manufacturers would invest in India if they were allowed to also export from India. He further added that limiting the amount of foreign investment may not be conducive to the foreign companies seeking JVs to transfer critical technology to Indian companies.
