1 hr ago
India and Belgium Sign Defence Pacts on Rockets, Drones
India and Belgium agreed to work more closely on defence.
Companies from both countries signed 10 agreements.
The deals include 70mm rockets, drones, ammunition and systems for tanks.
They also cover mine-clearing equipment and technology to stop hostile drones.
The countries want to cooperate on maritime security, especially in the Indo-Pacific.
Their governments signed a letter of intent to create a regular military partnership.
This partnership may include training, officer exchanges, research and joint exercises.
Indian and Belgian leaders said their relationship is based on trust and shared values.
Indian and Belgian defence companies signed 10 agreements covering rockets, drones, ammunition and tank systems.
The agreements also address maritime security, mine countermeasures, counter-drone technology and air-defence software.
India and Belgium signed a government-to-government letter of intent to expand military cooperation.
The framework includes training, officer exchanges, research, seminars, joint exercises and maritime-security cooperation.
Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Bart De Wever discussed the agreements, while defence ministers held separate bilateral talks.
- Who
- India and Belgium, including their governments, defence ministries and defence companies.
- What
- They signed 10 industry agreements and a government-to-government letter of intent covering defence cooperation.
- Where
- The talks and agreements took place in the context of bilateral meetings between Indian and Belgian officials; the article does not specify the signing location.
- When
- The agreements were signed on Thursday during the Belgian prime minister's visit to India.
- Why
- The countries aim to deepen military, defence-industrial and maritime-security cooperation.
Key facts
- Industry agreements
- 10 agreements were signed between Indian and Belgian defence companies.
- Technologies covered
- The agreements include 70mm rockets, drones, counter-drone systems, ammunition lines, mine-countermeasure systems, air-defence software and armoured-vehicle systems.
- Tank system
- The deals include turrets for India's Zorawar light tank.
- Government framework
- A letter of intent established a framework for regular defence exchanges and cooperation.
- Military activities
- The framework includes staff talks, education and training, officer exchanges, research, seminars and joint exercises.
- Maritime focus
- India and Belgium acknowledged the need for maritime-security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.
- Senior-level meetings
- Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Bart De Wever held talks, while Rajnath Singh and Theo Francken held separate bilateral discussions.
Quotes
India’s defence ministry
India’s government ministry responsible for defence affairs
“Both leaders (Rajnath and Francken) also discussed issues of regional peace and security and acknowledged the need for maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. They reiterated that the partnership between India and Belgium is based on shared values of mutual trust and respect.”
telegraphindia.com
“On defence cooperation, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the letter of intent between the two ministries of defence, establishing a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research cooperation, and defence-industrial partnerships...”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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