Express News Service
NEW DELHI: After supporting the 55-member African Union to become a permanent member of the G20, India has decided to step up its defence ties with African countries. India will post more defence attaches in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast, sources said.
This is in addition to the presence of military officers in South Africa and Kenya.
The new DAs will be drawn from all three services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army will send DAs to Mozambique and Ethiopia.
The Navy, which already has naval attaches in Kenya and South Africa, will post new officers to Djibouti and Tanzania, sources said.
The Air Force will send an officer to Ivory Coast, along with additional attaches to Spain and Armenia. These officers will have a three-year tenure. Their responsibilities include bolstering defence cooperation, training, procurement, and security.
They also keep track of military technologies in the countries they are posted in.
Multiple sources from the three services told TNIE that there is a renewed focus on Africa and more postings are under consideration. “More such movements will take place based on a fresher look and the way things are shaping,” said an official.
This is part of a larger strategy to counter China’s influence in the region.
“The increase in DAs will enhance security engagement with the African continent and understand the security challenges the African countries face,” said Ruchita Beri, consultant, MP-IDSA, New Delhi.
NEW DELHI: After supporting the 55-member African Union to become a permanent member of the G20, India has decided to step up its defence ties with African countries. India will post more defence attaches in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast, sources said.
This is in addition to the presence of military officers in South Africa and Kenya.
The new DAs will be drawn from all three services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army will send DAs to Mozambique and Ethiopia.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
The Navy, which already has naval attaches in Kenya and South Africa, will post new officers to Djibouti and Tanzania, sources said.
The Air Force will send an officer to Ivory Coast, along with additional attaches to Spain and Armenia. These officers will have a three-year tenure. Their responsibilities include bolstering defence cooperation, training, procurement, and security.
They also keep track of military technologies in the countries they are posted in.
Multiple sources from the three services told TNIE that there is a renewed focus on Africa and more postings are under consideration. “More such movements will take place based on a fresher look and the way things are shaping,” said an official.
This is part of a larger strategy to counter China’s influence in the region.
“The increase in DAs will enhance security engagement with the African continent and understand the security challenges the African countries face,” said Ruchita Beri, consultant, MP-IDSA, New Delhi.
