In an work to reach its USD 5 billion target in Defence exports by 2025, a list of 152 indigenous defence platforms to be exported has been released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The list has been ready based on the inputs received from the Defence Attaches in the Indian Missions and Posts in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), as effectively as Africa.
According to sources, “The list was prepared in consultations between the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence and other agencies. A list of friendly nations has been drawn up and the items identified that can be exported based on the requirement in those countries.”
Besides many nations from Africa, IOR, a lot of nations from ASEAN area as effectively as South America have been expressing interests in many platforms which have been produced in India.
What are products on the list?
Items such as Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers the Combat Management System for the navies are element of the extended list of products which has been specially curated for exports. And there are products from a lot of private providers which are not becoming applied by the Indian forces but can be exported. And Communication Systems as effectively.
There are about 85 diverse gear and 47 sub-systems.
There has been a lot of interest in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) `Tejas’, Artillery guns, Missile Systems, and Helicopters, in addition to the body armour and evening vision devices and armoured automobiles.
The thought behind preparing the list, according to sources, is to enable in organizing the extension of Line of Credits, or diverse financing selections that can be extended to the nations which are interested.
Besides, the private sector providers, the Ministry of Defence is expecting that such a list will make it less complicated for the DAs to be in touch with the acquiring authorities in these nations and to retain the Industry conscious of the tenders becoming posted.
TheSpuzz Online has reported earlier that some ASEAN nations, Middle East nations as effectively as from South America and Africa have expressed interest in the BrahMos and Akash Missile program.
Land Systems
The list has the ATAGS and the K-9 Vajra Howitzer which is currently in service, there is the 155mm/52 Caliber towed gun and Garuda 105 lightweight field gun — the latter two have been manufactured by the private sector organization Bharat Forge.
There are Mine protected automobiles, multi-mode hand grenades, diverse types of ballistic protection as effectively as combat helmets and vests manufactured by private firm MKU which are at present becoming exported to one hundred nations across the globe. There are military automobiles becoming manufactured by Ashok Leyland.
Naval Platforms
In the export list there are patrol and interceptor boats, Landing Craft Utility – these are applied in not only transporting troops but also more moving retailers and materiel. And also anti-submarine warfare corvettes which are becoming produced by a government owned shipyard.
Other merchandise on the list consist of rocket launchers, Combat Management Systems, Coastal and Surveillance systems as effectively as lightweight and heavyweight torpedoes, and naval 30 mm guns.
Air Systems
While the LCA has currently attracted a lot of worldwide attraction, the Department of Defence Production list also has the Light Combat Helicopter which is awaiting orders from the Indian Air Force as effectively as the Indian Army.
Importance of IOR & Africa
Last year, as reported by TheSpuzz Online earlier, at the DefExpo in Lucknow, the initially-ever India-African Defence Ministers’ conclave was organized. There had been defence ministers as effectively as top rated officials who had attended the conference.
This year, India hosted the Indian Ocean Region Defence Ministers’ Conclave on the sidelines of the lately concluded Aero India 2021. The theme of the conclave was mostly focused on ‘Enhanced Peace, Security and Cooperation within the Indian Ocean’.
Almost 18 nations from the area had been physically present — Maldives, Comoros, Iran and Madagascar, Australia, Kenya, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kuwait and Myanmar and other individuals.