India approves €60m military spend

The Indian Cabinet approved a €60m military spending plan today - after an announcement last week that rival Pakistan would buy sophisticated US fighter jets.

The defence ministry received the go-ahead to enter negotiations for 12 used French-made Mirage 2005 aircraft from Qatar, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in New Delhi.

Plans also include the purchase of nine offshore patrol vessels for the Indian Navy and upgrades for British made Sea Harrier planes.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to buy submarine-fired torpedo decoy systems from Italian company Wass, Mukherjee said.

India will also purchase 11 Dornier 228 aircraft, along with spare engines and ground support systems, he said.