:

India and Russia have signed a major new defense pact. Under the $10 billion deal, India will:

@ receive a complete nationwide air defense system (a major priority after Pakistan showed it could build nuclear weapons). Under this system, long-range S300 missiles will cover wide areas while existing shorter-ranged missiles will be integrated into a comprehensive control system.

@ pay the cost of mutually developing the new IL-214 multi-role transport aircraft.

@ three Kilo-class submarines, three Amur-class submarines, and a license to build six more diesel submarines in its own shipyards.--Stephen V Cole