The report pointed out that India, Israel and the UAE were all located
in areas of high tension. Both India and Israel have been deemed nuclear
states.
"Another dimension to be aware of is that seven of the eight states with
nuclear weapons include combat aircraft among the systems for delivering
these weapons, something not often discussed when exporting countries
present sales of combat aircraft as major business opportunities," author
Siemon Wezeman said.
The report said combat aircraft ordered by India, Israel and the UAE
comprised the lion's share of their weapons imports from 2005 through 2009.
Both
Israel and the UAE have been developing a fleet of F-16 multi-role fighters
while India was focusing on Russian-origin platforms.
"While combat aircraft are often presented as one of the most important
weapons needed for defense, these same aircraft give countries possessing
them the potential to easily and with little warning strike deep into
neighboring countries," Wezeman said.
Russia and the United States were deemed the largest suppliers of combat
aircraft and all major conventional weapons. The report said Moscow and
Washington supplied two-thirds of all combat aircraft deliveries from 2005
through 2009.
The report said the heavy combat aircraft procurement by India, Israel
and the UAE would shape their militaries for years to come. Advanced combat
aircraft cost more than $30 million and have been the focus of defense
marketing.
"However, the acquisition and use of combat aircraft places a heavy
burden on military budgets, and the decision to acquire them will shape the
direction of defense policy and doctrine for many years," SIPRI said.