National

First batch of U.S. radars arrives

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JULY 10. India today received the first batch of American radars that can pick up the trajectory of an incoming artillery shell and locate the point of origin of the gun firing them. This makes it possible for artillery and rocket weapons to accurately counter-fire and destroy the enemy's gun position.

The approximately Rs. 800-crore deal is the first major Indo-American weapons deal after the sanctions were lifted in late 2001. The Defence Ministry had approved the purchase of these "Firefinder" radar systems in 1998 but the Pokhran nuclear tests had led to the U.S. freezing all arms and technology transfers to India.

Announcing the delivery of the two radars, the U.S. Ambassador, Robert Blackwill, said that, "our partnership on the Firefinder radars marks a significant milestone in our burgeoning bilateral defence relationship". Operator and crew training for 16 Indian Army personnel on these radar systems began in April 2003 in California. The delivery of a total of 12 radars will be completed by September 2003.

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