India seeking cluster bombs from US

[Judas Iscariote]

India seeking cluster bombs from US

* Indian Defence Ministry seeks fast-track purchase of 500 bombs
* If approved by the US, purchase to cost India $375 million

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: India is seeking the purchase of 500 advanced-technology cluster bombs from the US. Although the order was placed in September, reports here suggest that the Indian Defence Ministry has called on the Americans to fast track the purchase amid rising tensions with Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

A private news channel reported here that New Delhi had specifically asked the US to provide 510 units of the American CBU-105 cluster bomb along with full logistics support services. If Washington approves the sale, the bombs will cost New Delhi $375 million. Pentagon’s Foreign Arms Sales Division has already notified the US Congress about India’s request and the proposed sale.

According to the notification, “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and improve the security of an important partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in South Asia.” Cluster bombs are actually a conglomeration of weapons. When released from an aircraft, they splinter into hundreds, even thousands, of ‘bomblets’ that land over a large area.

All bomblets do not explode when they hit the ground, but they can go off later – creating an indefinite minefield, which poses a severe threat to civilians and children long after the conflict is over. Former Indian Air Force western commander VK Bhatia says that although the effectiveness of cluster bombs against terrorist camps is debatable, they are lethal in all circumstances. Control Arms Foundation of India Vice President Anuradha Chenoy, however, has opposed the purchase, saying the government should base its anti-terror policies on intelligence instead of cluster bombs. On December 3, the United Nations launched the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) to ban the use of cluster bombs across the world. So far, 94 countries have signed the CCM. The prominent countries which have either opposed the convention or refused to sign or ratify it include India, Pakistan, the US, Israel, Russia and China.

[Kharian_Beast]

So this is why they didn't sign the comprehensive cluster munitions ban proposed to them earlier this year.

Irresponsible India not part of cluster bomb ban treaty

[Jihad]

Originally Posted by Kharian_Beast

So this is why they didn't sign the comprehensive cluster munitions ban proposed to them earlier this year.

Irresponsible India not part of cluster bomb ban treaty

That's what I was thinking aswell, Pakistan didn't sign it either have they?

[nitesh]

The original news is here:

So only India has not told not to ban them:right
India Today - India's most widely read magazine.
26/11 prompts India to seek cluster bombs
Shiv Aroor
New Delhi, December 23, 2008

India has sought over 500 advanced technology cluster bombs from the US. This is a clear sign that the government wants to arm itself to take on large targets, including terrorist camps.

Cluster bombs attracted controversies during their extended use in Iraq, Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia.

India requested for them in September.

But, after the Mumbai terror attacks, South Block has asked the Pentagon to fast-track the request, sources said.

According to documents listing India's request - an exclusive copy of which lies with Headlines Today - India has specifically asked the US to provide 510 units of the American CBU-105 cluster bomb and full logistics support services. If Washington approves of the sale, it will cost New Delhi $375 million (Rs 1,700 crore).

Headlines Today also has a copy of the notification made by Pentagon's foreign arms sales division to the US Congress about India's request and proposed sale.

According to it: "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and to improve the security of an important partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in South Asia."

Cluster bombs are a conglomeration of weapons. When released from an aircraft, they splinter into hundreds, even thousands, of individual 'bomblets'. These land over a large geographic area. The technique is also called carpet bombing.

All bomblets don't explode when they hit the ground. But they can go off later.

This creates an indefinite minefield which poses a severe threat to civilians and children long after the conflict is over.

Former Indian Air Force Western Commander Air Marshal V. K. Bhatia said: "The CBU-105 that India is looking at is an improved cluster bomb. Unlike the older ones, it is sensor-fused and guided by global positioning systems.

"Their effectiveness against terror camps is still debatable. But that they are lethal is beyond doubt."

Cluster bombs, like landmines, continue to be deeply controversial in the global arms control discourse. They are notorious for their indiscriminate nature of destruction and for the collateral damage they cause in almost all war theatres where they have been used.

Control Arms Foundation of India vice-president Anuradha Chenoy said: "These weapons are extremely dangerous. They continue to be harmful for civilians, especially children, long after a conflict and they should be prohibited across the world.

"India should base its anti-terror policies on intelligence, not cluster bombs." On December 3, the UN opened the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) to ban their use across the world.

So far, 94 countries have signed the CCM - including countries like Afghanistan, Laos and Lebanon - that have suffered the consequences of their use.

The prominent countries which have either opposed the convention or refused to sign or ratify it include India, Pakistan, the US, Israel, Russia and China.

[Imran Khan]

Countries that have produced cluster munitions
At least 28 nations have produced cluster munitions in recent history (since the creation of the United Nations). All of these nations still have stocks of these munitions.[42] Most (but not all) of them are involved in recent wars or long unsolved international conflicts; however most of them did not use the munitions they produced. Countries that have subscribed to the Wellington Declaration, agreeing in principle to ban cluster bombs, are listed in bold.

Brazil
Bulgaria
China
Egypt
France
Germany
Greece
India
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Italy
Japan
North Korea
South Korea
Pakistan
Poland
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

[Materialistic]

On December 3, the United Nations launched the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) to ban the use of cluster bombs across the world. So far, 94 countries have signed the CCM. The prominent countries which have either opposed the convention or refused to sign or ratify it include India, Pakistan, the US, Israel, Russia and China.

Why do they make it in first place, dont they know at the time of development that such bombs are only going to affect civilians in both short and long term basis. Already there is an issue of land mines and they have created a flying flock of hundreds and thousands of mines !!!!!!

Now,I think i can predict future as well, Japanese are going crazy with robotic technology and later the whole world will recruit robots in their army's (around 2030) then there will be brutal wars and later all the countries will be fighting to put a ban on recruitment of robots in armies and dismantle the robots which countries posses for military purpose.

[s6demon]

I thought cluster bombs were illegal

[no_name]

War also seems a pretty illegal activity too, but it's happening all the time.

Kind of silly when my ruler had an argument with other people's ruler, and then somehow that gives them the right to kill me.

regards

[jha]

Originally Posted by no_name

War also seems a pretty illegal activity too, but it's happening all the time.

Kind of silly when my ruler had an argument with other people's ruler, and then somehow that gives them the right to kill me.

regards

very well said....could not agree more..