India to send new Defence Attachés in multiple missions in Africa

Subject: IR

Section: Msc

Context:

India is expanding its military diplomacy by appointing Defence Attachés (DAs) to its missions in Africa for the first time, reflecting a broader adjustment of its DAs worldwide amidst evolving strategic needs, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, Red Sea-Indian Ocean, and Eurasia.

Details:

Four new DAs are expected in Africa, with placements in Francophone Western Africa and countries in Eastern and Southeastern Africa, including possibly Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
Additionally, the Indian embassy in Poland will receive a new DA, differentiating from the current arrangement where the DA in the Czech Republic also covers Warsaw.
This realignment is in response to defence cooperation needs, crisis management, and the protection of Indian interests, highlighted by recent maritime security incidents.
Further adjustments include new or revised DA postings in the UK, Russia, Philippines, and Armenia, with a reduction in the number of DAs in Russia as part of a “rationalisation” following the completion of several India-Russia defence projects.

Who is a ‘Defence Attache’?

A defence attaché is a member of the military serving in an overseas embassy, representing their country’s defence abroad.
The term ‘defence attaché’ covers personnel from all branches of the military, and those in the role have diplomatic immunity and status.
It is the defence attaché’s job to protect, develop and promote the defence interests of their country in the nation they are assigned, as well as in bilateral military and defence relations.

New development:

France’s significant role as a military hardware supplier to India strengthens bilateral relations, bolstered by high-level political, military, and strategic collaboration.
Additionally, the appointment of a Defence Attaché in the Indian embassy in the Philippines is significant due to Manila’s interest in Indian military hardware amid tensions with Beijing over the South China Sea.
- In January, the Philippines inked a deal worth $375 million with Brahmos Aerospace Pvt Ltd for the purchase of shore-based anti-ship variant of the Brahmos missile systems.
Similarly, Armenia’s procurement of Indian military equipment, including multi-barrel rocket launchers and anti-tank missiles, signifies India’s growing presence in the region, particularly in light of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Armenia has purchased the PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRLs), anti-tank missiles, rockets and anti-drone systems from India.

Source: TH