India - Aspiring Arms Trader

India is the world’s largest buyer of weapons, accounting for 14 per cent of global arms imports.

Over the next seven years, India is likely to spend more than $130bn (£80bn) importing arms to upgrade its arsenal with more modern weapon systems.

India has passed a bulk of defense projects worth $13 billion in a bid to boost the country’s national defense preparedness, the Indian Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) said. The biggest ticket item is the construction of six new submarine, to be undertaken by domestic shipbuilders based on foreign designs. The program is expected to span over a decade and cost about $8 billion. The DAC also cleared the procurement of Israeli Spike MR missiles and launchers under a $525 million plan to field more than 8000 missiles replacing the current Milan in the Army service. Another important acquisition will be the procurement of 12 upgraded Dornier DO-228 surveillance aircraft with for the coast guard, for about $300 million. Those aircraft will carry improved sensors for maritime surveillance. Additionally, the Army will receive 362 infantry fighting vehicle from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) as well as new lorries , both produced by domestic manufacturers from the private sector.

Modi now also seeks to end India’s arms-importer tag and turn the country into a weapons manufacturer, but also a major arms dealer.

“We dream of making India strong enough to export defence equipment to the world,” Modi said in August after christening India’s largest home-built warship.

With more than six hundred million Indians without access to toilets and are forced to use open spaces to defecate SOYMB can suggest a different priority for government spending.