ODD THAT THE "REALISTS" ARE ALL ATLANTICISTS:

Mega Military Deals Expected at India's Largest Arms Fair (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESS, 12 Feb, 2008)

The United States has overtaken Moscow, India's primary weapons supplier, by sending 46 firms to DefExpo compared to 24 Russian defense production units, Kumar said.

"Business transactions are going on and several announcements may be made at DefExpo," he told reporters.

India is likely to make a formal announcement on the awarding of a one-billion dollar contract to Lockheed Martin for six Hercules transport planes in the biggest military aircraft deal with the U.S. in five decades, defense officials said.

U.S.-based Lockheed is also in the race for a 10-billion dollar contract to sell 126 fighter jets to the Indian air force and the tenders will be handed out next month.

India is also in talks with BAE Systems for 40 Hawk trainer jets worth 872 million dollars in addition to 66 aircraft it purchased for 1.45 billion dollars in 2004 from the British company.

India may also announce a two-billion-dollar contract with U.S.-based Boeing for eight long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft during the event besides forging several tie-ups between the Indian private sector and global companies.

The upcoming arms bazaar will also see 91 new product launches including the latest weapons and platforms which are desperately needed by India's technology-starved armed forces, defense ministry officials said.