The Defense Ministry of India has signed 18 international contracts worth $20.1 billion between May 2014 and February 2015. The contracts were signed with armaments manufacturers from USA, Russia, the UK, Israel, Germany and France reports Defense World.

“Defense Procurement Procedure details direct dealing with the original equipment manufacturers, authorized vendors or government sponsored export agencies (applicable in case of countries where domestic laws do not permit direct export by original equipment manufacturers),” Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said.

“It also provides that vendor is required to give full details of any agents / technical consultants / authorized vendors that may have been appointed by them for marketing of this equipment in India. These details should include the scope of work and responsibilities that have been entrusted with the said party in India,” Parrikar added,

Parrikar’s comments possibly display a changing mind set in the ministry regarding the employment of middlemen in potential defense deals on the basis of full disclosure.