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Bangalore gears for South Asia's biggest air show
Despite the global economic downturn, nearly 600
armament and aerospace companies half of them from overseas -- are taking part
in this year's Aero India event in Bangalore .
Even with India's economy showing signs of a deepening slowdown, its million-plus military says it cannot cut defence spending and plans to hand out contracts worth 30 billion dollars in the next three to four years.
India has already imported military hardware worth 28
billion dollars since 2000. Among the prime pickings is a 12-billion dollar
deal for 126 fighter jets. Six major aeronautical firms competing for the
contract are participating in the air show.
Leading the pack of 303 international companies at the event areGermany and France with 31 firms each. 26 British, 24 Russian and 22 US firms are also present, along with 289 Indian defence
companies.
Besides the 126 fighter jets, transport aircraft and airborne early warning systems, the Indian military also plans to buy 700 helicopters worth 3.5 billion dollars and an array of air defense systems.
Even with India's economy showing signs of a deepening slowdown, its million-plus military says it cannot cut defence spending and plans to hand out contracts worth 30 billion dollars in the next three to four years.
Leading the pack of 303 international companies at the event are
Besides the 126 fighter jets, transport aircraft and airborne early warning systems, the Indian military also plans to buy 700 helicopters worth 3.5 billion dollars and an array of air defense systems.
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