Even as the high-end security and surveillance equipment is being quietly imported, hundreds of smaller security firms are engaged in fierce competition for signing foreign collaborations, and have already reported sharp increases in sales of protective and bullet-proof gear, X-ray and scanning equipment.

Says G B Singh, chairman of the Indian chapter of Asis International, the world’s largest association of security professionals: “If you take into account the plans for police modernization all over the country, post 26/11, business has gone up by Rs 500 crore.”

That’s just the tip. The boom began since word went out that as India learns its lessons from the Mumbai attack, it’s gearing up to spend an estimated $10 billion on homeland security and strengthening the armed forces. Further evidence came in the enhancement of Rs 4,500 crore in the budget for paramilitary forces (including a 8.5% hike in the budget for the Intelligence Bureau).

Not surprising then that the Security Expo held at Pragati Maidan last month saw record footfalls of procurement managers from Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and top bureaucrats. Top security companies from around the world are already in the country, holding meetings, discussions and conducting roadshows to showcase their products.

Germany’s Schneider Electric, which specializes in security consultancy and integrated packages for security, organized demos in five major cities last week. Italian giant Finmeccanica has organized a seminar later this week to display new technologies in police modernization and biometrics.

Israel is the first country to make a direct diplomatic sales pitch for a share in the Indian security pie. A senior-level delegation called the First India-Israel Homeland Security (HLS) Cooperation Forum, is currently on a visit to Mumbai and Delhi with the active support of the Israeli embassy in India.

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