NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
T V Parasuram in Washington
India continues to develop its nuclear arms programme with foreign assistance, mainly from Russia, and the 1998 nuclear tests were a significant milestone in its efforts to build sophisticated weaponry, the CIA says in a recently published report.
"The acquisition of foreign equipment will benefit New Delhi in its efforts to develop and produce more sophisticated nuclear weapons," the semi-annual report to the US Congress --Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Weapons -- says.
"India continues to rely on foreign assistance for key missile technologies, where it still lacks engineering or production expertise. Entities in Russia and Western Europe remained the primary conduits of missile-related and dual-use technology transfers during the first half of 2001," the report, which covers the first six months of last year, says.
India, says the CIA, also continues an across-the-board modernisation of its armed forces through 'advanced conventional weapons', mostly from Russia, although many of its key programmes have been plagued by delays.
New Delhi received its first two MiG-21-93 fighter aircraft and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will now begin the licensed upgradation of 123 more aircraft, it adds.
"Russia," says the CIA, "continues to be the main supplier of technology and equipment to India and China's naval propulsion programmes. In addition, Russia has discussed leasing nuclear-powered attack submarines to India."
India concluded an $ 800 million contract with Russia for 310 T-90S main battle tanks, as well as a smaller contract for KA-31 helicopters in the first half of 2001, says the report.
India is negotiating with Russia for nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier, and it also continues to explore options for leasing or purchasing several advanced electronic warfare systems.
New Delhi also signed a $270 million contract with Tel Aviv for the Barak-1 missile defence systems, it says.
The Indian Air Force has reopened competition for jet trainer aircraft and is considering bids from the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom, the report says.
"Russian entities continued to supply a variety of ballistic missile-related goods and technical know-how to countries such as Iran, India, China and Libya," it says.
Tell us what you think of this report
Call India
