Western Media: India Adopts a "Dual Strategy" in the Military Industry

According to a report by Reference News on April 16, the website of the "El Español" reported on April 7 that despite India's long-anticipated rearmament plan, it was only recently that this Asian country approved a massive military procurement plan worth approximately $25 billion, which includes the purchase of more air defense systems and a new fleet of transport aircraft.

The report states that New Delhi's plan includes increasing the number of Russian-made S-400 "Triumph" air defense systems from the current 5 to 10. This decision stems from the outstanding performance of this weapon system demonstrated during the India-Pakistan conflict in May of last year.

The S-400 air defense system will further consolidate its key position in India's air defense architecture. Currently, India has deployed 3 S-400 systems along its northern and western borders.

Before approving the expenditure for the procurement of the S-400 air defense systems, the Narendra Modi government approved a procurement plan worth approximately $1.1 billion for the purchase of 288 missiles to equip the aforementioned air defense systems, including 120 short-range missiles and 168 long-range missiles.

The approved investment also includes the procurement of the Russian-made "Tunguska" air defense system. These systems are designed to protect infantry and tanks from attacks by low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicates that India is the largest customer of the Russian military-industrial complex, accounting for 48% of the total arms exports approved by the Kremlin. India is also the fifth-largest country in terms of defense spending in the world. In recent years, India has vigorously promoted the indigenization of various types of weapons, covering multiple categories such as firearms, drones, fighter jets, and submarines, involving both independent research and development and production in collaboration with foreign partners.

A significant portion of the $25 billion budget already approved by the Indian government will be used to procure approximately 60 multi-role transport aircraft to replace India's current fleet composed of Il-76 and An-32 aircraft. The military transport aircraft models under consideration by New Delhi include the C-130J from Lockheed Martin, the C-390 from Embraer, and the A400M from Airbus.

Airbus, the European aerospace giant, is no stranger to India. In 2021, Airbus signed a contract with the Indian government to order 56 C-295 transport aircraft. According to the agreement, 16 of these will be produced at Airbus's facility in Seville, Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India.

In addition, the Indian Air Force will become the first customer of the Airbus A321 airborne early warning aircraft. This aircraft is designed to serve as a mobile radar for detecting various types of enemy threats. New Delhi has purchased 6 used A321 aircraft from Air India, which will be modified by Airbus.

Airbus is not the only European aerospace company that views India as a customer. Earlier this year, the Indian government finalized a procurement agreement with French manufacturer Dassault Aviation to purchase 114 "Rafale" fighter jets, which will increase the number of Rafale jets in India's possession to over 30. This contract is the largest arms sale contract in India's history.

Furthermore, according to a statement made by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament, New Delhi may further strengthen its ties with the European industrial sector as it considers joining one of two European projects aimed at developing sixth-generation fighter jets—the "Global Combat Air Program" (GCAP) and the "Future Combat Air System" (FCAS). (Translated by Wang Meng)