After Uri, India rushed arms deal

India signed a number of ‘urgent’ arms deals worth INR200 billion with Russia, Israel and France immediately after the Uri attack last year, the Times of India reported on Monday.

“The aim was to guarantee the armed forces can undertake at least 10 days of ‘intense fighting’ without worrying about ammunition, spares and other reserves,” the English daily quoted sources in the Indian defence ministry as saying.

“The emergency purchases will obviate the need for armed forces to present long shopping lists to the government after every major terror strike. They can now maintain operational readiness for different contingencies,” the source said.

According to the newspaper, the Indian air force has concluded 43 contracts worth more than INR92 billion for ammunition and spares for fighter jets.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2017.