Obama likely to push India to buy more US military hardware

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama, on his visit to India, is aiming to seal deals worth billions of dollars. A day after announcing new business deals, now his focus is on the defence sector.

NDTV has learnt that during his meeting with the Prime Minister, Obama plans to push India to buy more US military hardware.

Let's take a look at the potential deals in the pipeline:

The Indian Army plans to buy 145 Howitzers, which is approximately US $8 billion deal. So far, BAE Systems has offered the M777 Lightweight Towed Howitzer for which the Indian Army has conducted field trials in recent weeks.

The Army also plans to buy sensor-fused weapons or Cluster bombs - a $880 million deal. Apart from this, Indian Air Force and Navy are looking for AWACS and mid-air refuelers which are going to cost $ 2 billion. Leading US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing has offered the B737-700.

Boeing is close to winning the 10 Air Force Heavy Lift Aircraft deal by offering the C-17 Globemaster III. This deal is valued at approximately US $4.5 billion.

Also, there is the closely contested $11 billion Air Force Multi-role Fighter Aircraft deal and the winner is expected to be announced latest by mid-2011. Boeing has offered the F/A-18 Super Hornets while Lockheed Martin has offered the less fancied F-16IN single engine fighters.

What's already in the bag:

The Navy has already ordered 12 Boeing P8I Poseidon Aircrafts worth US $$4.5-$5 billion for maritime patrolling.

The Air Force has sealed the deal for C-130 transport aircraft. First delivery is expected in less than a month.

However, all these weapons platforms will come bereft of latest technology since India has refused to sign the CISMOA (Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement) with the United States.