India/Pakistan: Drones for New Delhi, Insecurity for Islamabad

Israel announced Nov. 8 that it would sell 50 Heron unmanned aerial drones to India for $220 million. The Indian Defense Ministry had said Nov. 4 that it was interested in purchasing the drones to patrol the disputed region of Kashmir and India's Himalayan border with China. The purchase will allow India to better protect its long borders and to pave the way for the planned 2007 acquisition of Israeli Phalcon radar — all while seeking to convince Pakistan that the security balance between the two countries will not shift further in New Delhi's favor. Pakistan, however, is unlikely to be placated, and will endeavor to counter the Indian acquisition.