India showcases local production of military equipment to African partners

African soldiers test weapons during a military equipment show, in Pune, March 29, 2023. AFP - MONEY SHARMA

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The Indian government has just concluded a major ten-day military exercise with some twenty African countries, with the aim of strengthening its strategic ties with the continent. But also to increase its arms exports for those countries that cannot always access Western weapons.

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Helicopters, drones and rifles... At the end of the ten-day Afindex military exercises between India and 23 African countries, including Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa, the Indian arms industry deployed its paraphernalia on Wednesday (March 29th), reports our correspondent in New Delhi, Sébastien Farcis. The operation took place in Pune, the country's main military equipment manufacturing centre.

India, which has for years been the largest importer of arms by market value, is investing in local manufacturing, and opened its first helicopter factory in February. The country has injected billions into the sector in order to become less dependent on imports, especially from Russia. Another challenge is to strengthen its border with China, which is the subject of tensions.

Less expensive equipment

New Delhi would now like to be able to export more, which could be of interest to Africa, as Indian weapons should be cheaper than Western ones. In the coming years, the country hopes to more than double its annual arms exports and earn some $5 billion from about $1.7 billion currently.

According to an Indian industrialist quoted by France-Presse Agency, the commercial proposals to Africa would mainly concern defensive equipment, such as armored vehicles, radars and telecommunications equipment. The defence minister also pledged to share India's expertise in manufacturing and research to help African countries develop their own industry.

(

And with AFP)

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  • India
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