The “habit” being the Indian Armed Forces’ addiction to Russian military gear. I’d love to see the West drive a wedge between India and the Russia-China defense partnership, this seems to be a start:
India is likely to make a formal announcement on the awarding of a one-billion dollar contract to Lockheed Martin for six Hercules transport planes in the biggest military aircraft deal with the U.S. in five decades, defense officials said. U.S.-based Lockheed is also in the race for a 10-billion dollar contract to sell 126 fighter jets to the Indian air force and the tenders will be handed out next month. India is also in talks with BAE Systems for 40 Hawk trainer jets worth 872 million dollars in addition to 66 aircraft it purchased for 1.45 billion dollars in 2004 from the British company. India may also announce a two-billion-dollar contract with U.S.-based Boeing for eight long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft during the event besides forging several tie-ups between the Indian private sector and global companies.
Russia is still learning the ins-and-outs of capitalism, in that it appears that some of the most obvious rules of the free market still escape them. Rule No. 1: if you push an inferior product, customers will look elsewhere.
