According to the official reports, for a nation that is increasingly outsourcing its defense needs to the United States, India is warning of the serious pitfalls in such relations.

Indian army Chief Gen. V. K. Singh has written to Defense Minister A. K. Antony cautioning the government about foreign military sales purchases from the United States, local media has reported.

The Indian government has been sourcing all its defense deals with Washington through foreign military sales programs, carrying out major defense acquisitions.

The U. S. government, according to these non-tender purchases, procures the equipment on behalf of the Indian government from its military companies, making a commission for liaising on behalf of the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Such programs kicked off in 2002, when India took to its first major deal, placing orders for the AN/TPQ-37 firefinder weapon-locating radars for the army.

Though, that deal, was a frustrating experience, leading to protracted problems with the U. S. firm Raytheon.

In fact, it has been suggested by the reports that the Indian army has had repeated problems in the maintenance of the dozen plus radars it purchased in 2002. Up to two-thirds of the expensive equipment is said to be inoperable because of lack of maintenance.

The Domain-b Indian business magazine quipped earlier this week, "A good deal of song and dance was then created as to how the deal presaged greater defense cooperation between India and the U. S. as the sensitive piece of equipment was supplied only to close friends and allies."

The military official's warning comes at a crucial time. Both the Indian government and the U. S. Department of Defense are thrashing out the final details of two major defense deals. (With Inputs from Agencies)