GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd September. You aspire to higher spheres of the sky as your wings grow larger. The sky is not the limit for India’s defense manufacturing units. The capacity of Indian defense manufacturing is making it a force to be reckoned with in the sector. Africa is India’s next defense partner after Southeast Asia.
Tanzania is eager to acquire Indian defense products
A Tanzanian delegation recently visited India’s indigenous defense industry. Its Defense Minister, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, was in charge of the delegation, which included Senior Armed Forces officials. On August 29, they paid a visit to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a manufacturer of ammunition and missile systems.
According to a BDL press release, the company is ready to export Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, Surface to Air Missiles, Underwater Weapons, Counter Measure Dispensing System, Drone Delivered Bombs, and Drone Delivered Missiles to the African country. “The visit will further strengthen Defence Cooperation existing between India and Tanzania and will give a boost to export of ‘Made in India’ defence products,” BDL added in a tweet.
Honoured by the visit of HE Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Defence Minister,Tanzania at BDL today.The visit will further strengthen Defence Cooperation existing between India and Tanzania and will give a fillip to export of 'Made in India' defence products. pic.twitter.com/5X1jD2MQG4
— Bharat Dynamics Limited (@bharat_dynamics) August 27, 2022
The larger significance of the visit
On the surface, the visit appears to be part of the normal routine. But we can assure you that it is not a passing fad. The visit symbolizes African leaders’ proclivity to protect their geography from the country’s ongoing tribal and Islamist warfare.
There is a reason why they are approaching India in this manner. No other country in the region, not even the UN Peacekeeping force, has the same level of trust in India’s defense capabilities.
The Indian Armed Forces are well-known in Africa
Ethiopia was the site of India’s first overseas training institution. The NDA, IMA, DSSC, and NDC training courses in India are extremely popular on the African continent. We have evolved into effective training grounds for African cadets. We have given at least six current or newly formed military chiefs to African nations.
Because of its popularity, India is the fourth largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa. Until now, over 2 lakh Indian security personnel, both police and military have helped keep conflicts in Africa to a minimum. India was the first country in the world to send a women-only contingent to the Liberian peacekeeping mission in 2007. These women also encouraged local Liberian women to join security forces. When they left Liberia in 2016, then-President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf congratulated them.
Maritime collaboration
India has the SAGAR initiative in the maritime domain, which is intended to keep Chinese influence in Africa at bay. The Indian Navy took part in Exercise IBSAMAR-VI with South Africa in 2018. Our ships also visited Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, and the Comoros as part of the exercise. Another exercise that the Indian Navy conducts with African nations is the Milan Exercise. The exercise featured 40 countries and 26 ships in its 2022 edition.
Indian firms are already present
The trust has assisted Indian companies in obtaining African defense contracts. In 2015, Ashok Leyland supplied 1200 military vehicles to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Djibouti, Seychelles, and Botswana. Ashok Leyland also provided 633 troop carriers, buses, transport trucks, water tankers, fuel tankers, fire tenders, ambulances, and light commercial vehicles to Zimbabwean forces.
Previously, Tanzanian forces purchased 679 vehicles from Ashok Leyland. Tata Motors has also entered the race, delivering 520 vehicles to Mali, including ambulances, jeeps, water and fuel tankers, recovery and refrigeration trucks, and buses.
Africa requires an emancipator
We have left a legacy in Africa. We only lacked a strong defense manufacturing capacity. This shortcoming will soon be forgotten, as the Atmanirbharta in Defense is in full swing. We are preparing Africa for defense exports as we address our own needs. The institutionalisation of the India-Africa Defense Dialog (IADD) will improve our prospects for defense exports.
Africa has always been plagued by issues. First, the West took advantage of it. When their impact faded, Islamist terrorism seized control of a large swath of Africa. China took advantage of the situation and entered. They require a power that can free them without igniting a fire. India is the only country capable of doing so. Arming legitimate governments is a step toward that goal.
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