Thursday, January 01, 2009

India Plans Homeland Security Buys Worth $10B

India Plans Homeland Security Buys Worth $10B (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - January 1, 2009: India will purchase more than $10 billion in homeland security weapons and equipment on an emergency basis in the next two to three years, Defence Ministry sources here said. The decision comes in the aftermath of the Nov. 26 Mumbai terror attacks. The Defence Ministry has asked the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Army to draw up a wish list of homeland security equipment. The list could include a variety of UAVs, including combat UAVs; transport aircraft and helicopters; secure communication systems; high-speed boats and interceptor boats for the Coast Guard; specialized weaponry like the Trevor gun; multi-utility vehicles and other equipment to fight terrorist attacks in urban areas. The Home Affairs Ministry has also asked paramilitary forces and police forces to give a list of equipment they need for homeland security missions. A diplomat based here said the move to purchase such systems will eventually lead to multiple joint ventures and memoranda of understanding between Indian and overseas defense companies. A senior Home Affairs Ministry official said a paradigm shift is needed to provide internal security, which will require India to establish an apex body responsible for homeland security. The Defence Ministry has floated requests for proposals worth more than $9 billion during 2008 to buy weapons. In 2009, fresh bids will be floated for purchasing weaponry for homeland land security, a senior Defence Ministry official said.

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