India, Italy to cement defence ties

Italy, a limited supplier of military equipment to India, has proposed the two countries join forces to develop defence products. During a recent visit to India, Lorenzo Forceri, Italian deputy defence minister, said the two governments have decided to turn their 2003 memorandum of understanding on transfer of defence equipment, technical assistance and defence industrial cooperation into a formal agreement, which is likely to be signed shortly.

This would affect specific programs, one of which could be the joint development of combat systems for the Air Defence Ship (ADS), India?s indigenous aircraft carrier which is being built with technical help from Italy. Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, besides building the ship?s propulsion system, is helping the Indian Navy design the ADS and acting as a consultant.

“If India comes up with its specific additional submarine requirements,” Forceri said, “Italy will always be ready to offer to work as a partner in designing, developing and producing the submarines.”

Another area where the two countries can work together is the joint production of guns for Indian Navy warships and other small frigates. Italy and India also are cooperating on a number of other defence programs, including an oceanographic survey vessel, maritime patrol aircraft, heavy-weight torpedoes for submarines, anti-submarine helicopters for the Indian Navy and advanced warships and frigates.