Source : Times Now
German Defence Minister to visit India next month, 6 Indian Navy submarines deal in the fray
The two-day visit of the new German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius next month for meetings with defence minister Rajnath Singh, is particularly significant as Germany is in the race for the Rs 50,000 crore deal for the manufacture of six submarines in India.
The RFPs were issued about two years ago and the replies from the two Indian firms– Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) and Larsen and Toubro (L&T)– are expected in August. Germany, South Korea and others are in the race.
Pistorius, who arrives here on June 6, is expected to have discussions with other important personalities in South Block, including External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. The submarine deal is one of the biggest in recent times and the Navy, at the moment, is short on conventional submarines. In the past, India has purchased German submarines– the HDW boats are still part of the Navy’s fleet, The Navy’s newer submarines include the French Scorpene submarines, also made in India by MDL
The Indian position, now for all visitors are ‘atmanirbharata’, Make in India and Make for the World. The submarine deal, with either MDL or L&T will clearly be Make in India and the issue of more investments in the defence sector will also come up.
AFRICA OUTREACH
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also readying to visit Nigeria, one of the largest African countries. This is part of having closer ties with African militaries and Army Chief General Manoj Pande, was in the continent as well. Exercises with African armies and a conclave where most African nations participated are signs of the reachout. India wants to sell weapons to friendly African countries as well. German Defence Minister to visit India next month, 6 Indian Navy submarines deal in the fray German Defence Minister to visit India next month, 6 Indian Navy submarines deal in the fray German Defence Minister to visit India next month, 6 Indian Navy submarines deal in the fray German Defence Minister to visit India next month, 6 Indian Navy submarines deal in the fray IgMp
