As part of New Delhi’s continued upward trajectory in military ties with the Gulf countries, the two governments have chosen to expand their bilateral defence connections through military exchanges and training courses, as well as investigating defence industrial cooperation and procurements.
On Tuesday, Lt-General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair, commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, held “important” conversations with Army Commander General M M Naravane, among others.
“This is the first visit to India by a serving Royal Saudi Land Forces commander, and it underscores the two countries’ growing defence collaboration.” Gen Naravane visited Saudi Arabia in December 2020, making him the first Indian Army Chief to do so,” a senior officer said.
Because of shared objectives in economic success, fighting terrorism, and lessening the consequences of climate change, the two countries’ connection has expanded. One of the main foundations of the broader relationship is defence diplomacy,” he continued.
India is in talks with nations such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with a strike range of 290 kilometres and Akash air defence missiles with an interception range of 25 kilometres.
The Army Design Bureau briefed the top Saudi military officer on Tuesday on the Indian defence industry’s “current capabilities and competencies” as well as indigenous military systems inducted by the Indian armed forces, which included missiles, drones, and counter-drone systems, as well as helicopters, specialist vehicles, and radio systems.
The Royal Saudi Land Forces’ requirements were also discussed, as were possible areas of collaboration with the Indian sector to meet them. “He was also given a presentation on the Indian government’s policy initiatives and enabling provisions for the defence industry,” another official said. “He was also given a presentation on the start-up ecosystem being facilitated, and the various niche technologies being developed in conjunction with start-ups and technology incubation with academia.”
In August of last year, India and Saudi Arabia held their first-ever naval exercise, dubbed “Al Mohed Al Hind,” as part of their growing bilateral defence ties. It came after the Indian Navy and the UAE Navy had conducted the “Zayed Talwar” drill off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
In March, the IAF participated in a significant multi-nation air combat exercise called “Desert Flag” in the UAE with Sukhoi-30MKI fighters and C-17 Globemaster-III aircraft. The exercise included air forces from the United States, France, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
The UAE Air Force, incidentally, has been giving support to the IAF’s new Rafale fighters on their almost 7,000-kilometer voyage from France to India via its Airbus MRTT refuelling aircraft.
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