Australia explores marine defence prospects in India

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New Delhi: The lucrative defence market in India has attracted the attention from a new quarter, the Australians.

With a view to tapping the expected demands that will be generated by defence sector in India, the first ever Australian Marine Defence mission has landed on the Indian shores.

Talking to FE, Terry Whelan, head, defence export unit, said that, “the delegation which has come here for the first time will showcase Australia’s niche expertise and capabilities in maritime defence security, offer the expertise to the Indian government agencies as well as explore partnership opportunities with suppliers of maritime defence equipment in the private sector.”

The delegation comprising of 9 companies including Britton Marine Australia Pty Ltd, Lightning Protection International Pty. Ltd, SOS Marine, GSSM (Global Safety Solutions and Management), D Space/ EMS SATCOM, Cobham Aviation Services Australia, Defence South Australia, Boeing Defence Australia, and WA Water Audits.

During their three days visit to New Delhi and Kochi from May 7, these companies would seek to build relationship with the Indian industry and look for joint venture partnerships with the Sees.

“Australia can provide high technology value added competitive solutions and expertise to the Indian maritime defence sector. And, the delegation’s visit here is a very important step to open up potential areas of cooperation between Australia and India in maritime defence,” said Peter Linford, Senior Trade Commissioner, South Asia, Australian Trade Commission.

“The delegation has met senior naval officers as well as senior government officials in an effort to understand the Indian system of defence procurement. The meetings indicated that there is a role for the Australian companies to play, including communications sector, UAVs and Sonars,” Whelan pointed out.

Australia’s maritime industry is internationally competitive and has a proven track record in the construction, integration, modification and support of naval vessels and their sub-systems.

Specialty skills include complex systems integration, welding of complex metal alloys, ship design and assembling of submarines and frigates.

According to Linford, “Australia has capability spread across the entire maritime security spectrum with expertise in submarine systems development, integration and high-pressure hull fabrication, ship construction, modular fabrication, systems integration, platform integration, sub-system design and maintenance services, patrol boat design and construction and high-speed naval vessel design and construction.”