GLOCAL Jan 2014 | Page 26

So far India has signed some big contracts with the major arms manufacturers. India has signed contracts for 126 French Rafale fighters worth US $15-20 billion. The big contracts - 22 Boeing AH64D Apache Longbow attack acquisition of two regiments of the 12-tube, 300 mm Smerch multibarrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system with 90 km range Russia‘s Rosoboronexport in early 2006. India has advertised for a global tender to purchase 400 155mm towed artillery guns for the Army, and simultaneously manufacture 1,100 howitzers, worth Rs 8,000 crore. The tender was issued to eight prospective bidders including BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Nexter (France), Rhinemetall (Germany) and Samsung (South Korea). A Request for Proposal (RfP) has been issued for 180 wheeled self-propelled guns for around Rs 4,700 crore for employment by mechanized forces in the plains and semi-desert sectors. India‘s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has sanctioned the increase of ‗war Page helicopters (US $1.2 billion); 15 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters (US $1.4 billion), and six Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (US $1.0 billion) are likely to be signed in the near future. The Navy is also expected to sign a US $1.0 billion contract for 16 multi-role helicopters, which is at an advance stage of vendor selection. The Army on its part is hoping that its much delayed artillery programme finally gets going in 2013, with the procurement of 145 ultra-light howitzers (US $647 million). Earlier India signed contracts for the 23 Figure 1: India’s Defence Budget breakdown 2013-2014