A.K. Antony: Allegations of bribes could hurt missile deal with Israel
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Defence Minister A.K. Antony stated that India will cancel the contract for $2 billion medium-range surface-to-air missiles with Israel if "credible evidence of malpractice" is found. Israel has replaced France in 2007 as India's second-largest arms supplier, after Russia. Reports also noted that India is the biggest weapons buyer among emerging countries, having imported $28 billion worth of military hardware since 2000 and earmarked an additional $30 billion, including $12 billion for 126 fighter jets to be purchased by 2010. The Defence Minister noted that six global aeronautical giants were in the race to bag the jet fighter contract1.