Gulf countries seek weapons from India |
India`s influence in the gulf countries has been increasing by leaps and bounds. Many countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have outlined their Vision plans for modernizing their economies and are looking at India as an important trading partner in a range of sectors including defence. India and the Gulf countries themselves import military systems that are still working to develop their defence industries. As their defence industries develop, the arms trade between India and the Gulf countries will grow, but it will be some time before this potential can be meaningfully realized. India has secured some arms agreements with the Gulf countries, particularly the UAE, which, as far as the Gulf countries` industries go, has the most advanced defence industry. India`s Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) signed a deal with the UAE earlier this year to supply around $50 million in artillery shells to the Emirati military, which follows another sale of artillery shells to the UAE a few years back. The Gulf countries have large defence budgets that they can leverage to buy advanced systems from Western suppliers, meaning that the arms market for the Gulf is extremely competitive. Saudi Arabia and India are to hold their first joint naval drill in 2020.
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