| Year/Date |
Exporter |
Item(s) |
Remarks |
| Early 1960s |
United States |
Technical assistance |
NASA trains Indian scientists from the Indian National Committee on Space Research (INCOSPAR) in the assembly, launch, and tracking of sounding rockets. India launches its first sounding rocket in 1963. |
| Early 1960s |
France |
Radars and sounding rockets |
Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) signs agreement with INCOSAPR in 1962 to supply radars and sounding rockets. |
| 1962-1970 |
Undisclosed |
Facilities for machining, tool-making, injection, molding, assembly, inspecting, carpentry, and electroplating |
These facilities, acquired from undisclosed sources, give India the technological capability to produce anti-tank missiles. |
| 1964-1965 |
France |
Centaure sounding rocket technology |
Agreement with Sud Aviation to produce Centaure sounding rockets in India under license. |
| 1965-1969 |
France |
Technical assistance |
As part of the Centuare licensing agreement with Sud Aviation, Indian scientists receive practical training in France. They also obtain a list that specifies the equipment needed for building rocket facilities. |
| 1967 |
Soviet Union |
Squadrons of SA-2 surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries |
These air-defense missiles were deployed around New Delhi and key airfields in northern India. |
| 1969-1970 |
United States and France |
Equipment for a solid-propellant space booster plant (SPROB) |
India purchases equipment for the SPROB directly from US and French suppliers and constructs the facility itself. |
| 1970 |
France |
License to produce SSIIBI anti-tank missiles |
M/s Aerospatiale (Nord Aviation) and India sign a licensing agreement in 1970. Bharat to produce 1,000 SSIIBI anti-tank missiles annually for 10 years. |
| Early 1970s |
West Germany |
Technical assistance |
The West German Space Agency Deutsche Forschungs und Versuchsanstalt fuer Luft und Raumfahrt (DFVLR) helps the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO) design and build a high-altitude test facility that simulates near-vacuum conditions in space for testing the performance of upper stages of satellite launch vehicles. |
| 1970-1972 |
France |
Technical assistance |
The French company Societe Europeene de Propulsion (SEP) helps ISRO build facilities and the six-component test stand for the Static Test & Evaluation Complex (STEX) in Sriharikota. |
| 1970-1972 |
United Kingdom |
16-ton vibration table and other machinery |
The equipment was used to complete the STEX complex at Sriharikota. |
| 1971 |
France, Western Europe, United States |
Technical assistance |
Sud Aviation of France trains Indian scientists in production of composite nozzles for Centaure sounding rockets. Indian scientists also visit other manufacturers and facilities in Western Europe and the United States to gain expertise in the manufacture of composites. |
| 1972 |
United States |
Missile gyros and calibrating equipment |
The Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) imports gyros and equipment for the Valiant ballistic missile’s inertial navigation system. |
| 1973-1975 |
West Germany |
Technical assistance |
Indian scientists receive training from the West German space agency, DFVLR, in high-altitude testing, remote sensing techniques, microwaves, pulse code modulation (PCM) telemetry, and wind tunnel testing. |
| 1973-1975 |
France |
Technical assistance |
Indian scientists study satellite launcher technology at facilities of the French Space Agency, CNES. |
| Mid-1970s |
USA |
Filament-winding machine |
The DRDL imports this machine to aid in the manufacture of fiber-reinforced plastics for the Valiant ballistic missile’s re-entry vehicle. |
| 1978 |
France |
Technical assistance |
The French firm SEP provides blueprints and specifications for Viking [Indian designation “Vikas”] rocket engines. CNES agreed to share this information with ISRO in 1974. |
| February 1980 |
Soviet Union |
Pechora surface-to-air missile batteries |
India decides to procure Pechora missiles after canceling Project Devil, a program to reverse-engineer the SA-2 surface-to-air missile. |
| 1982 |
West Germany |
Technical assistance |
West Germans assist India in constructing Viking liquid-engine test facilities. |
| 1982-1989 |
West Germany |
Technical assistance |
India acquires technical assistance for building a navigation system for satellites based on the Motorola microprocessor. |
| Late 1984 |
United States and United Kingdom |
Valves, chips, and microprocessors |
Anticipating supplier controls, India purchases these stocks for the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). |
| Late 1984 |
France & Sweden |
Gyros |
Gyros are purchased for the IGMDP. |
| Late 1984 |
France |
Hydraulic actuators |
Hydraulic actuators are purchased for the IGMDP. |
| Late 1984 |
United States & West Germany |
Computers, motion simulators, and three-axis machines |
These materials are purchased for the IGMDP. |
| 1985 |
United States |
six super minicomputers |
The Reagan administration approves this sale but refuses India’s request for two supercomputers due to fears of technology leakage. |
| 1985 |
France |
License agreement to produce Milan 2 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) |
Production of the Milan 2 missile commences at Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) under license from M/s Euromissile. |
| Mid-1980s |
Soviet Union |
Elbrus computer system, computers |
The Soviet Union agrees in 1984 to deliver a $20 million Elbrus computer system by 1985. Two high-powered computers are also ordered for defense and nuclear facilities. |
| Mid-1980s |
West Germany |
Six-axis filament-winding machine with computer controllers |
Using a textile company as a front, India imports this machine to weave carbon fibers for the Agni Technology Demonstrator’s re-entry vehicle. |
| Mid-1980s |
United States |
Equipment for impregnating graphite into carbon fibers |
Using a front company, India purchases the equipment to develop carbon fibers for the Agni’s re-entry vehicle. |
| September 1986 |
Soviet Union |
12 SS-21 Tochka ballistic missiles with transporter-erector launchers |
The CIA reports that a Soviet ship carrying this cargo was docked in an Indian port. India dismisses the allegation as “highly imaginative.” |
| Late 1986 |
United States |
Missile test range equipment |
India signs contracts worth $6-7 million in October with the US companies Vitro and Scientific Atlanta. |
| Late 1987 |
United Kingdom |
Sea-Eagle anti-ship missiles |
India signs a contract on 26 November 1987 to procure Sea-Eagle missiles from the United Kingdom. |
| Late 1987 |
United States |
Two Cray XMP 14 supercomputers |
India plans to install one supercomputer in New Delhi and the other in Karnataka for meteorological forecasting purposes. |
| Early 1988 |
United States |
Equipment for missile test range in Orissa |
The United States clears the sale of equipment for India’s missile test range in Orissa. |
| 1989 |
Soviet Union |
License to produce Konkurs ATGMs |
India begins production of Konkurs ATGMs at BDL in Hyderabad. |
| 1990s |
Soviet Union/Russia |
Cryogenic engines for the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLV) and technical assistance |
In January 1991, Glavkosmos agrees to supply ISRO with two cryogenic engines and the technology to make additional stages for Rs 235 crore. By 1992 the United States imposes sanctions against both entities saying the deal violates the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Although Glavkosmos suspends the contract in 1993, ISRO claims that substantial cryogenic technology has already been transferred. A revised Glavkosmos-ISRO deal in the mid-1990s includes two cryogenic engines minus the technology transfer (two flight-worthy stages, two ground models, and an option for three more cryogenic engines are also added to the contract). In addition, Glavkosmos modifies the payment amount to $128 million. By September 1998, the first cryogenic stage arrives in India. |
| 1993 |
United States |
One hot isostatic press |
This press is exported by a US company through a Scottish subsidiary in violation of US export control laws. The press can be used to shape composites for missile nose cones. |
| Mid to Late 1990s |
Russia |
Technical assistance |
The United States first accuses Russia of aiding India’s “Sagarika” sea-launched ballistic missile program. Russia claims quasi-public research institutes are only providing underwater launch technology. As of April 1998, US sources were divided on whether Russian assistance violated the MTCR. |
| August 1997 |
Germany |
1,000kg consignment of aluminum-vanadium master alloy |
Alloy used for building rockets and missiles. The consignment, originally ordered in 1994, is stolen in Mumbai after receipt. |
| Late 1990s-2003 |
Russia |
Klub-S anti-ship cruise missiles |
Russia completes the overhaul of two Indian Kilo-class submarines in 1999 and 2002. They are both refitted with Klub-S cruise missiles. A third Kilo-class submarine is currently being refitted. |
| 1999 |
Israel |
Eight Searcher-2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) |
The Indian Army acquires UAVs from Israel for high-altitude reconnaissance. |
| 1999-2003 |
Russia |
Technology for PJ-10/ Brahmos supersonic cruise missile. |
India and Russia sign an accord in 1999 to co-develop the Brahmos. The missile is currently undergoing flight trials. |
| Late 2000 |
Russia |
ZM-54E Klub anti-ship cruise missiles |
India reportedly buys 3M-54E Klub cruise missiles for $30 million. |
| 2001-2003 |
Israel |
Searcher-2 and Heron UAVs |
India acquires an unspecified number of UAVs for approximately $300 million. |
| March 2001 |
Israel |
One Green Pine Radar System |
The radar is used to detect and track ballistic missile launches. |
| August 2001 |
Germany |
Eight hydraulic cylinders |
These cylinders will likely be used for the Agni ballistic missile launch vehicle. |
| September 2001 |
Israel |
Barak anti-missile system |
Following a two-year refitting, the aircraft carrier INS Viraat is declared combat ready. It is armed with the newly acquired Barak anti-missile system. |
| October 2002-2003 |
Israel |
Eight Barak anti-missile systems |
Delivery of these missiles is still in progress. The Barak anti-missile system will be deployed on naval vessels, in lieu of the canceled Trishul short-range SAM program. |
| December 2002 |
Russia |
Pending: S-300V SAM system |
Russia renews its offer to sell India S-300V SAMs. The sale has yet to materialize. |
| February 2003 |
Israel |
Pending: Arrow II anti-missile system |
The status of the sale is unclear due to opposition from the United States. |
| February 2003 |
Israel |
Arrow II anti-missile system |
India reportedly agrees in principle to invest $150- million in Israel's Arrow anti- missile program. |
| March 2003 |
Former Soviet Union and other unnamed countries |
Millimeter range wave image sensors |
India reportedly attempting to recruit foreign scientists especially from the former Soviet Union to develop wave image sensors to be used in precision targeting systems for missiles. |
| March 2003 |
Germany |
Hydraulic cylinders |
German prosecutors order arrest of Peter L. and Michael L. of Montanhydraulik for violating German laws by illegally exporting nine consignments of hydraulic cylinders to India between 1997 and 2000. The cylinders, which were declared as bridge laying equipment, are used in the mobile launchers for the Agni-I and Agni-II missiles. |
| May 2003 |
United States |
Patriot air defense system |
India discusses potential purchase of the Patriot anti-missile system during visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control Stephen G. Rademaker. |
| May 2003 |
Israel |
Barak anti-missile system |
India's Defense Ministry reportedly plans on purchasing 10 Barak anti-missile systems during next two years. |
| June 2003 |
United States |
Missile defense systems |
India discusses sale of high-technology equipment and modules of the missile defense shield with the United States. |
| June 2003 |
Unknown |
Gravimeter |
This imported device is capable of accurately measuring the gravitational pull 'g' to parts per billion and can be used in the development of missiles. |
| August 2003 |
United States |
Patriot air defense system |
Indian government requests technical information concerning the Patriot anti-missile system from the United States. |
| August 2003 |
United States; Israel |
Arrow anti- missile system |
India seeks US approval for participation in Israel's Arrow anti- missile system. |
| November 2003 |
United States |
Master Information Exchange Agreement |
India and the United States sign a Master Information Exchange Agreement that will allow the sharing of classified and technical information, including data on US experiments with anti-missile technology. |
| November 2003 |
Israel |
Barak missile system |
India and Israel sign $100 million deal for the transfer of third consignment of Barak missile system to India. |
| February 2004 |
United States |
Accelerometers |
US investigators uncover evidence that Asher Karni, the South African businessman facing felony charges for attempting to export nuclear bomb triggers to Pakistan, also tried to export accelerometers to an Indian company, Foretek Marketing Pvt. Limited. Accelerometers can be used in missile guidance systems. |
