Defence purchases worth over Rs 37,000 cr with US since 2004: Govt

NEW DELHI: Contracts worth Rs 37,181 crore have been signed with the US in the past over six years under capital acquisition in the defence sector, Government told the Rajya Sabha today.

"Contracts have been signed for purchase of various defence equipment including C130-J transport aircraft, VVIP Boeing, Harpoon missiles, sensor fused weapons, C-17 Globemaster III, INS Jalashwa, P-81 LRMR aircraft from the US during 2004-11," Defence Minister A K Antony told the House.

In his written replying to a question on purchase of defence-related items from US, the Minister said, "Procurement of defence items is made from various indigenous as well as foreign sources including US in accordance with the defence procurement procedure."

Replying to a question on purchase of 10 C-17 Globemaster-III aircraft, Antony said, "The Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for procurement of 10 C-17 Globemaster-III aircraft along with associated equipment was signed on June 14, 2011."

The cost of the procurement is USD 4.1 billion and delivery of these aircraft will commence from June 2013 and is expected to be completed by June 2015, he said.