NEW DELHI, Feb 7: India will invite western observers and diplomats to a major wargame exercise near its border with Pakistan next month, officials said on Thursday.

The exercise involving land forces, armour and the air force will begin on March 19 at Pokhran in Rajasthan where the country conducted a series of nuclear weapons tests in 1998 that drew international sanctions.

“A host of foreign dignitaries and defence attaches from friendly countries will witness the exercise that is aimed at putting the mechanised formations through their paces in a simulated, deep offensive scenario in a desert terrain,” an air force spokesman said.

The drill codenamed “Brazen Chariots” will comprise Israeli-supplied drones, Russian artillery, tanks and warplanes and thousands of troops from one of India’s three main strike corps, a military statement added.

The announcement came as global defence companies heat up a race to try to corner Indian military contracts worth billions of dollars.

Up for grabs are deals for six submarines worth $2.3 billion, artillery worth $3 billion and a global tender for 312 helicopters.

India also has already invited tenders to buy 126 war planes worth $10.24 billion.—AFP