India Renews Bid to End Reliance on Foreign-Made Arms

India restated its aim to reduce its dependence on foreign arms makers in part by drawing private domestic companies into building weapons for the world’s third-largest active-service military.

While “we will protect and strengthen” India’s eight state-owned arms companies, Defense Minister A.K. Antony told reporters in New Delhi, the private sector will be offered “more and more a level playing field” in bidding for defense contracts. Business groups such as the Confederation of Indian Industry have urged the government to end preferences for state-run companies and let private businesses bid equally for sales.