PUNE: India showed off domestically made helicopters, drones and artillery at a gathering of army chiefs and officials from 31 African nations on Wednesday, as New Delhi seeks to ramp up its arms exports to the continent.
India, the world’s largest arms importer, has invested billions into its defence sector in a bid to become less reliant on foreign weapons, including from Russia, as it faces off against China on their disputed border. Simultaneously, the South Asian country has also been trying to sell more of its domestically produced military hardware to other countries, particularly poorer nations who cannot afford more expensive Western-made arms.
“We are making equipment which is affordable and reliable,” retired Indian army general VG Patankar told AFP at the event.
On Wednesday, the Indian military displayed the military goods on offer with a simulated operation featuring commandos abseiling from helicopters, armoured vehicles, bomb disposal robots.
Assault rifles, artillery shells and models of missiles were also showcased at the event held in Pune in western India.
Delegates from Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa participated in the gathering, which followed nine days of joint military drills with soldiers from 23 African countries.
New Delhi opened its largest helicopter manufacturing plant in February, months after it unveiled its first locally made aircraft carrier and test-fired a ballistic missile from its maiden domestic nuclear-powered submarine.
India’s bid to become a major arms exporter
In the coming years, India aims to increase its annual arms exports to $5 billion – more than double than the current figure of $1.7 billion. Less than 20 percent of its arms exports currently go to Africa, with customers including Egypt, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Mauritius and the Seychelles, officials said on condition of anonymity.
S.P. Shukla, head of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, told AFP that the focus of the Africa sales pitch was “defencive” in nature, and featured armoured vehicles, radars and telecommunication equipment.
—AFP
