The Republic of India and the Kingdom of Spain have cordial relations with each other. One of India’s Defence needs is to embolden and strengthen its naval and air defence capabilities. In this sphere, India regularly collaborates with Spain. India and Spain have already signed agreements to buy 56 Airbus Planes for 2.5 billion euros. Post this purchase, India is planning to buy 5 Spanish Submarines.
According to Jose Maria Ridao (ambassador of Spain to India) Navantia, a Spanish company will be providing and supplying the Indian Navy cutting edge and highly advanced submarines that have “Independent Air Propulsion System”. The basic premise of this system allows a submarine to resurface only once for oxygen in a weeks’ time-frame. It can stay under the sea for a comparatively longer period of time. Another 2.5 million euros have been spent for 56 Airbus aircraft. Navantia is also involved in tenders LPD (Landing Platform Docks) Fleet Supporting Ships etc. The company has a MOU with India’s Larsen and Toubro (L&T) in terms of heavy engineering.
Ambassador Ridao stated that deal exemplifies enormous potential between both nations. It has two benefits, it shall solidify defence Sector of Spain on one hand and on the other, it supports “Make in India” strategy. The first 16 aircraft will be built in Seville (Spain) and the rest by TATA Advanced Defence Systems Limited (TASL)
The C-295 transport aircraft is capable for transport of 71 infantry or 50 paratroopers to inaccessible regions and that too from unprepared airstrips/runways unlike heavier aircraft. On the 5th of March 2015, India and Spain signed an agreement on “Mutual Protection of Classified Information which has deepened the defence cooperation between the two nations.
Spain’s defence industry also comprises of the following companies: Indra, Santa Bárbara Sistemas-General Dynamics European Land Systems (SBS-GDELS), Airbus Helicopters, Expal, Sapa, Urovesa, Escribano, Thales España, Hisdesat, GMV, Sener or Instalaza.
India and Spain signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the 12th of October 2015, that encouraged collaboration between their defence industries and exchange of personnel. Spanish investment in India is 1.3 billion, Spain was one of the four partner countries offering the Eurofighter combat aircraft (tender for 126 fighter jets.)
Many Spanish firms have shown considerable interest in selling hi tech weaponry to India. The Spanish company Indra is already engaged with the Indian Armed Forces in spheres of radar and communication. The famous Spanish organisation is planning to sell its S-80 diesel electric submarines for India’s Project 75.
Indra has a joint venture with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for telecommunication systems and radars for the Indian Navy. Recently, it has opened an office in New Delhi.
