Recently, India has extended a line of credit touching nearly $14 billion to 42 nations out of 55 nations in the African Union. It is looking at increasing the funds to support the defense capacity of countries in the region, besides traditional sectors like railways, ports and roads.
Sources explained that Africa needs a strong security and defense environment and India is more than willing to partner with the countries in the region for the same. They also said that India has been generous in offering the line of credit, which can be used to fund defense expenditure by the African nations.
The Indian defense industry has the potential and expertise to make significant contributions towards the African security paradigm, particularly in the field of technology transfer.
During the Army Chiefs Conclave here, attended by representatives of 31 African nations including army chiefs of ten African countries, Indian defense Minister Rajnath Singh said India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, foster stability and enhance the defense capabilities together. A collaborative approach is key to ensure strong ties.
At the conclave, in which various security dynamics were discussed, a key focus area was the display of India-made military equipment — from indigenous Arjun battle tank to specialized armored vehicles manufactured by private companies like Tata Group and Kalyani Group, to artillery guns including the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers and small arms like India-made Israeli rifles like Tavor and Negev light machine guns. Even BrahMos has generated a lot of curiosity amongst the African countries.
Private company representatives at the event said that Africa did provide a huge market for their products and they were already in talks for sale of equipment. Also, Indian products are of better quality and durability than Chinese ones and much cheaper than what western countries will charge.
Although, Russia remains the top supplier of arms to Africa. Russia has 26 per cent of market share in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the Ukraine-Russia war has distracted Russian defense contractors. This has forced African militaries to look for alternatives.
India is projecting itself as a value of money-defense supplier. Countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, have already started buying Indian defense equipment.
Africa is an important player as it is also under the radar of China for a long time. India-Africa saw a gap in their ties, thus Africa became a victim of the coercive, expansionist and one-sided policies of China. On the other hand, India wants to reduce the driftness between the two regions. Hence, pushing for a mutually beneficial and a partnership based on equal footing to flourish both the developing regions. According to reports, almost 20 per cent of India’s arms export goes to Africa.
India in recent times has emphasised solidifying its ties with Africa. India and the African nations last month also conducted a joint army exercise — the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023). There is a clear indication that both sides want to ramp up their cooperation and convergences to make up for the losses incurred. They are looking to completely explore the under-rated defense relations.
India’s collaborative approach is wooing Africa as it doesn’t stop at just supplying the weapons, but also assist the region in capacity building. Therefore, India’s self-reliance vision is not limited to its domestic sphere, but also in its strategic partnerships.
India has overcome its past hesitations with defense exports. Now, proactively seeking to manufacture Made in India arms. It also offers collaboration over research and development, defense knowledge with its defense partners.
It is engaging with the African region as the Indian defense industry has the potential and expertise to make significant contributions towards the African security paradigm, particularly in the field of technology transfer.
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