WASHINGTON: With focus on a massive modernisation of its defence forces, India has emerged as the second largest arms importers among developing nations in the world between 2008 and 2015, a latest Congressional Research Service (CRS), an independent bipartisan research wing of the US Congress report has said. CRS reports are not considered official reports of the US Congress.
Saudi Arabia emerged top importers with purchase of defence equipment worth $93.5 billion, followed by India with $34 billion deal.
It is notable that India, while the principal Russian arms customer, during recent years has sought to diversify its weapons supplier base.
INDIA ARMS DEAL YEAR-WISE
2004 – India purchase Phalcon, early warning defense system aircraft in 2004 from Israel
2005 – Six Scorpene diesel attack submarines and numerous items from France
2008 - India purchased six C130J cargo aircraft from the United States
2010 - UK sold 57 Hawk jet trainers for $1 billion to India.
2010 - Italy also sold India 12 AW101 helicopters.
2011 - France secured a $2.4 billion contract with India to upgrade 51 of its Mirage-2000 combat fighters
2011 - US agreed to sell India 10 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for $4.1 billion
2015 - Russia and India agreed to a contract in which India would procure at least 200 Ka-226T helicopter, the report said.