Cooperation and support are the spokes of peaceful and communal society. The same theory is applicable at international level. India is gathering arms, acquiring weapons, warheads and also devoting major efforts in manufacturing them in India.
Brahmos, supersonic cruise missile, which successfully tested in land and sea versions and now undergoing trials of air version, is now attracting south east nations. The missile is a joint venture of India and Russia. Brahmos crew itself directed inclination of Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. during Defense and security military Expo, which is going on in Bangkok. The missile will perform better for those nations. The range of Brahmas is 300 Km, which is sufficient for those nations to secure their territory and its supersonic feature makes it closer to their hearts.
Brahmos has recently been tested from INS Kochi, India’s stealth destroyer. This has been a point of interest of Southeast Asian nations. Its modification in land, sea and air versions has made it a good choice.
Well, it’s not the first time when India is seen planning or exporting defense material to other nations. Maldives, a nation which is currently going through political crisis also received Trinkat Class Fast Attack Craft in 2006 as gift. Bangladesh, Seychelles, Mauritius, etc. are other nations whom India has helped in arms and defense sector. India has exported assault riffiles, some helicopters and naval vessels to friend nations .Some news were surfaced recently about India offering homemade aircraft Tejas to Sri Lanka to counter Pakistani jet JF17. Further actions are still awaited. If Sri Lanka accepts the proposal then India’s Tejas will once again come to the lime light attracting more nations. India was approached by some nations for Akaash missile also.
India-Vietnam’s deal in the field of exploring oil was also seen to be supporting small nation and providing help. Currently, Chinese president Xi Jimping is on a visit to Vietnam with major aim to eradicate and resolve territorial disputes over South China Sea.
In the month of June, this year, DRDO has made a list of weapons that has to be exported weapons arms and warheads including jet aircraft. As revealed by the top officials of DRDO, Tejas, Brahmos, Prahar class missiles with 150 km range, Akash air defense system and some others are in the list of arms that can be exported or offered to other nations. DRDO officials also said that sometimes Indian arms are a lot cheaper and affordable. This makes India-made arms a good choice for small nations. Strategic long range missiles sold by China to Saudi Arabia have 2-3 times cost of production as that of India.
Since last few years, importing has been on a limit in India and India’s indigenous defense production. With several Indian companies running in defense production field, India is emerging as a new defence giant. Some requirements in Indian armed forces are being filled by procurement. India’s arm export is heading a bright future. But still some obstacles effects it like recently contradictions among HAL and Ecuador over HAL made helicopters ongoing crashes. Some problems in India made tanks Arjun have also been encountered in the beginning of this year. India needs to be making its arms perfect along with affordability. As the signs are directing, India is approaching a tag of a big arm exporter.
