India Signs $5.5Bln-Worth of Military Procurement Deals in Six Months

India, over the past six months, has signed contracts for the purchase of military equipment from domestic and foreign companies totaling to approximately $5.5 billion, the country's defense ministry said Tuesday.

In total, 28 contracts — 18 with Indian companies and 10 with firms from Russia, the United States, Sweden and Israel – have been signed during this period, according to the ministry.

Russia and India have enjoyed mutually beneficial strategic relations, especially in the field of defense and military cooperation, since the 1960s.

Russia is among India’s foremost weapons suppliers.

In February, the Indian Defense Ministry said that during the period 2012-2015, India signed 162 defense contracts to procure arms worth $19.5 billion, including 67 deals with foreign companies, including 18 with Russia and 17 with the United States.