| One of the largest ever American commercial | | | | "That promotes peace, that promotes |
| delegations to a foreign defense exposition | | | | stability, rather than the other way around." |
| has been dispatched to India. It is part of | | | | |
| an effort by the United States to bolster | | | | China and Pakistan are not present at the |
| strategic ties with India, which | | | | exposition. |
| traditionally turned to Moscow for its arms | | | | |
| purchases. As VOA correspondent Steve Herman | | | | Some American arms manufacturers are looking |
| reports from New Delhi, American weapons | | | | to establish a permanent presence here. They |
| merchants downplay concerns of India's | | | | are setting up offices in India and seeking |
| neighbors that a more robust Indian military | | | | partnerships with Indian companies that have |
| will destabilize its tense neighborhood. | | | | entered the field since 1991 when India first |
| | | | allowed the private sector to supply |
| The biggest defense fair in South Asia began | | | | components to the armed forces. |
| on Saturday with arms makers from 30 | | | | |
| countries displaying their wares. They are | | | | Among those meeting with prospective partners |
| hoping supply the world's fourth largest | | | | during the defense exhibition, is retired |
| military. India is expected to spend tens of | | | | U.S. navy admiral Walter Doran, now president |
| billions of dollars in the next several years | | | | of Raytheon Asia. |
| on fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, | | | | |
| artillery and related state-of-the-art | | | | "All of us are looking for strategic partners |
| technology, purchased abroad. | | | | at various levels as we come into India, and |
| | | | we're looking for those businesses that can |
| All of the major American military | | | | provide quality, that have the manufacturing |
| contractors are here in New Delhi for the | | | | capability but also that have the ethical |
| four-day Defense Expo 2008. Their timing is | | | | standards that we can work with," he said. |
| fortuitous as India weans itself from its | | | | |
| traditional weapons supplier, Russia. | | | | Lockheed Martin has announced it is |
| | | | establishing an Indian subsidiary, headed by |
| The U.S. delegation is being led by former | | | | Douglas Hartwick, former U.S. ambassador to |
| Defense Secretary William Cohen. He | | | | Laos. The company recently was awarded a $1 |
| downplays concerns that an Indian military | | | | billion contract by India to supply six |
| with the capability to support New Delhi's | | | | (C-130J) military transport planes. |
| strategic and diplomatic objectives will | | | | |
| alarm Pakistan and China, two nuclear-armed | | | | Lockheed and another U.S. airplane |
| countries with which India has previously | | | | manufacturer, Boeing, are in the competition, |
| clashed on the battlefield. | | | | along with European and Russian companies, to |
| | | | supply India with more than 100 new fighter |
| "Perhaps it'll persuade China that India is a | | | | jets. The $10 billion tender is expected to |
| strong country, a great country and one that | | | | be issued next month. |
| is capable of its own defense," he said. | | | | |