Newsstand - Airbus, Indian Airlines to sign deal for 43 planes

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp?guid={45D39EF2-179C-46F3-A90F-AB22C8C6B9A5}&siteid=mktw

"State-run domestic airline Indian will sign a $2.5 billion deal to buy 43 Airbus planes on Monday in New Dehli, the head of European defense group EADS - Noel Forgeard said, AFX News reported. "It is a big order with value of over $2.5 billion. It is a great achievement," Forgeard reportedly said. Airbus is 80% owned by EADS and 20% owned by BAE Systems. French President Jacques Chirac is in India for a two-day visit, hoping to strengthen France's business ties with one of the world's fastest-growing economies."

Looks like a new order, but one that has been in negotiation for a number of years.

Still, a nice start to the year for Airbus.

Seems to have been signed at the same time as a nuclear deal with France, so the two may be tied together.

US sanctions or potential threat of sanctions due to US rules applied to India has cost US defence and aerospace companies a huge amount of lost sales. India has been the world's biggest importer of military hardware over the last two decades, and the US has a virtually zero share of that market.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/194146/1/.html

SINGAPORE : State owned carriers Air India and Indian Airlines may be merged after their initial public offerings are completed.

US sanctions or potential threat of sanctions due to US rules applied to India has cost US defence and aerospace companies a huge amount of lost sales.

Well Boeing did land that very large 777-200LR and 777-300ER widebody order to Air India, last year. And they've sold a large number of 737NGs.

But yes, India uses mostly Russian military aircraft, I believe.