Article Posted on : - Feb 26, 2010

The Obama administration is working to increase the US military share in India and Pakistan. File photo

NEW YORK (PTI): The US is widening its military exports to both India and Pakistan to reap commercial benefits for its defence firms and strengthen ties with the two nuclear armed neighbours.

The US has made billions of dollars in weapons deals with India, which is pursuing a five-year USD 50 billion push to modernise its military, the Wall Street Journal said Thursday.

At the same time the US aid to Pakistan will double next year, allowing Islamabad to acquire more US-made helicopters, night-vision goggles and other military equipment.

The sales have increased to both India and Pakistan, even as the two countries remain sceptical of Washington supplying arms to the other.

Though Russia has been India's largest source of weapons for many decades supplying 70 per cent of the military hardware now in use, the Obama administration is working to increase the US share.

India has increased its current defense budget by 30 per cent from five years ago to USD 30 billion, and the country's defence needs include warships, fighter aircrafts, tanks and other weapons.

"For 2010 and 2011, India could well be the most important market in the world for defence contractors looking to make foreign military sales," said Tom Captain, the vice chairman of Deloitte LLP's aerospace and defence practice.