India organises DefExpo in Tanzania to expand Defence Industrial footprint in Africa

Vishal Thapar Jun 01, 2022

Seeking to expand its Defence Industrial footprint in Africa, India organised DefExpo, an exhibition of its capability at Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania on May 30.

The Mini-DefExpo was organised by India’s Ministry of Defence in association with the Society for Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). Sixteen Indian companies, including seven PSUs and nine from the private sector, participated in the exhibition as part of efforts to seek markets for the Indian Defence industry.

These companies included public sector giants Hindustan Aeronautics, Mazagon Dock, Bharat Electricals, Bharat Dynamics,Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and Armoured Vehicles Nigam.

Private sector participants included L&T, Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, Ashok Leyland, Ideaforge Technology, Adani Defence, Zen Technologies, MKU, Tunga Aerospace and AWEIL.

Tanzania’s Minister of Defence Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax inaugurated the Dar-es-Salaam DefExpo. Chief of Staff of the Tanzanian Defence Forces, Lt . General ME Mkinguke attended along with the top military brass. Defence attaches of nine African countries based in Dar-es-Salaam also attended the event.

The Indian delegation was led by Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.

Minister Tax encouraged Tanzanian forces and Indian Industry to make efforts towards building a partnership with an open mind. “We thank the Govt of India for organizing the Defence Mini Expo in Tanzania, and for showcasing a wide range of products. A great event to enhance our cooperation,” she stated.

Recalling historical links between Tanzania and India, Lt General Mkinguke said bilateral Defence cooperation between the two countries has big potential. India and Tanzania have long standing defence cooperation in areas of trading, capacity building and supply of military equipment.

An opening seminar was followed by one-on-one sessions between participating Indian companies and Tanzanian military officials.

India’s DefExpo in the key East African country follows the visit of its Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri to Dar-es-Salaam on May 2 during which he met with the Defence and Foreign Ministers of Tanzania and top military officers.