doweshowbellyad0 defence extravaganza defence minister a k antony indicated that the defence ministrys projections show that the indian defence industry stands to gain 810 billion in offsets during the 11th plan 20072012 period reuters photobangalore from multirole fighter jets and 155mm howitzers to helicopters and longrange maritime spy aircraft india will spend a staggering 30 billion on purchase of military hardware and software over the next five yearsdefence minister a k antony on wednesday indicated that the defence ministrys projections show that the indian defence industry stands to gain 810 billion in offsets during the 11th plan 20072012 period confirming an earlier toi reportthis in effect means that india will sign defence deals worth around 30 billion during the period since the new defence procurement policy dpp holds that any foreign armament company bagging an indian deal over rs 300 crore will have to plough back 30 of the contract value into india as direct offsetsthis will ensure that india will continue to be the largest arms purchaser in the developing world in the coming years as reported earlier by toi india overtook even china in 2004 and 2005 in this regard signing defence deals worth over 11 billion as compared to chinas 5 billion chinas defence expenditure of course remains shrouded in mysterymodernisation of the armed forces is one of the topmost agendas of our government our government is trying to improve relations with all our neighbours including pakistan and china things are peaceful but we cannot be complacent said antonythe minister said india was no longer keen on a mere buyerseller relationship and would go in for more and more joint rd and production projects on the lines of the indorussian brahmos supersonic cruise missile venture refusing to being drawn into a russia versus us debate he said the governments policy was to procure the best available equipment at the best price from whoever was offering itbut yes india is going to join hands with russia for the development of the fifthgeneration stealth fighter named pakfa by the sukhoi design bureau as of now which will have a fullcomposite airframe advanced beyondvisual range combat capabilities active electronicallyscanned array radar and supersonic cruising ability we are very serious about it said antonyas for other defence procurements in the pipeline india is on course to acquire 40 more sukhoi30mkis 80 mi17 helicopters and 327 t90s tanks from russia negotiations are also on with international armaments firms for 197 light helicopters for army six more midair refuelling aircraft for iaf eight american c130j super hercules aircraft for the special forces and six longrange maritime patrol aircraft for navy moreover there are a whole range of missiles and uavs unmanned aerial vehicles the armed forces are keen to acquirethen of course army plans to kickstart its longdelayed rs 10000crore artillery modernisation plan which will see the force progressively induct around 1200 towed and selfpropelled 155mm 52calibre guns over the next decadewhew is it any wonder that international armament companies are salivating at