India appoints military attaché to Armenia To expand arms exports

India is sending military attaches to 10 new countries, for the first time a military representative will be appointed in Armenia, with the main focus on African countries.

The reform is being carried out, among other things, by "optimising" the number of Army, Navy and Air Force representatives in countries with large diplomatic missions, such as Russia, France and the UK, TASS reports, citing Press Trust of India.

New Delhi is now sending 15-16 military attachés to other countries - some of which will receive India's military representatives for the first time, while some will have their existing apparatus upgraded or strengthened. Emphasis is being placed on states with which India is developing military-technical cooperation.

"Some of them have already started working in their new positions. In the next phase, 10 new offices of military attachés will be created in various countries, with special emphasis on countries to which arms exports are being made," the agency's interlocutor said. In particular, for the first time, a military attaché will be appointed to Armenia, with which India has already agreed to supply Pinaka launchers, Akash short-range surface-to-air missile system and other weapons.

"This is the first time that a military attaché is specifically assigned to Armenia," the source emphasised. New military representatives will also be sent to Djibouti, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique, the Philippines, Poland, Tanzania and Djibouti.

The main region of expansion is Africa, where, as the agency notes, India is trying to spread its influence against the backdrop of China's successful promotion of its own strategic interests on the continent. India expects to supply African countries with Tejas light combat aircraft, Pinaka launchers, air defence systems, Akash and supersonic cruise missiles made by Russian-Indian Brahmos.

New Delhi has recently sharply curbed imports of arms and defence products and is buying only the essentials from other countries. The authorities are pushing for all weapons systems to be manufactured in India, including in partnership with foreign manufacturers, under the national "Make in India" programme.