India offers to supply ‘Make in India’ weapons to African countries

New Delhi: To further boost the ambitious 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, the Government has offered to supply indigenously built 'Make in India' weapons to several African countries.

Without citing the name of the country, the defence ministry sources told Defence Watch that for the first time India has bagged export orders for the indigenously developed Akash air defence missile systems. However, the speculation is that it may be either Sudan or Armenia.

This is the first time that the Akash air defence system will be exported. It is country's important missile with over 96 percent indigenisation.

Akash is a Surface to Air Missile with a range of 25 Kms. The missile was inducted in 2014 in IAF and in 2015 in Indian Army.

After its induction in the Services, interest is shown in Akash missile by many friendly countries during International Exhibitions/Def Expo/Aero India.

Besides Akash, other weapon systems that are top on the list are Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher and the Arjun Main Battle Tank.

During the first-ever joint conference of the Indian and African army chiefs in Pune, India made the pitch to offer a wide range of Indian-manufactured weapons to the African countries.   The conference was attended by 10 Army Chiefs and more than 30 delegates from the office of the Army chief  from African countries.

During the joint press conference, it was announced that India has offered to supply a whole range of Indian-made weapons to African countries.

Government of India intends to focus on exporting high value defence platforms, to achieve target of 5 Billion USD of defence export and improve strategic relations with friendly foreign countries.

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