By Aritra Banerjee
India has hosted the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023) for the second time, with 100 participants from 23 African nations in attendance. The military exercise, held at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune, is part of India’s outreach to Africa, which began in 2008 through the India-Africa Summit and has since been held in 2015 and 2019. The exercise focuses on enhancing peace and security, with a particular emphasis on humanitarian mine action and peacekeeping operations.
At the start of the exercise, Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, Corps Commander, Desert Corps, addressed the participants. The joint exercise aims to refine the interoperability and operational preparedness of the participating member nations for United Nations peacekeeping operations and to promote a collaborative approach to the capacity enhancement of African militaries.
The exercise comprises four phases, aimed at enabling the participants to comprehend and put into practice the validated drills and procedures through situational-based discussions and tactical exercises. The trainers have already undergone training, followed by a Humanitarian Mine Action and Peacekeeping Operations Phase, culminating in a validation exercise to assess the training’s results.
The joint exercise is expected to showcase new generation equipment manufactured in India, with maximum use of domestic equipment made. The troops of the participating nations will get a feel of their efficacy.
Indian Defence Industry Vying For African Market
India aspires to establish itself as a major player in the global defence export market and expand its diplomatic footprint in Africa, facing significant challenges in competing with established players like Russia, Turkey, and China. To catch up with China, India must move beyond merely selling arms to the continent and focus on transferring cutting-edge technologies, licensed production, research, training, and other essential direct government-to-arms sales support.
Indian companies are already providing maintenance and technical support to African countries. For instance, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is training pilots for the Nigerian Army’s newly formed aviation corps, while Uganda relies on the company for maintenance and technical support for its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MK multi-role fighter jets.
Indian state-owned AWE India Limited offers a wide range of products for export to African countries, with a particular emphasis on small arms and artillery. The company showcased its entire catalogue, including an assault rifle modelled after AKMs, at the recent Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) 2022 exhibition. With its economies of scale, AWE India Ltd may be well-positioned to leverage of Africa’s ongoing struggle with terrorism and violence by non-state actors.
According to Ekene Lionel, a leading African defence industry analyst, the Nigerian Army may consider purchasing the Chetak and Dhruv helicopters to equip its aerial forces, while Egypt may acquire the Tejas light fighter jet and trainer.
India’s vast experience and expertise in the defence industry could benefit African countries, and the potential benefits for both sides are significant. However, some industry watchers from African countries have expressed concerns about India’s relatively late entry into the African defence market. As African countries already have a well-developed defence-industrial complex, India must find ways to differentiate itself from its competitors.
One potential area of focus is the transfer of advanced technologies, including drones, border surveillance and monitoring technologies, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors, and communication devices. Additionally, light scout helicopters, transport helicopters, trainer aircraft, low-cost aerial platforms, and light patrol naval vessels are all essential assets that African forces need.
The AFINDEX-2023 exercise highlights the importance of military cooperation and engagement between participating nations to enhance peace and security and refine African armies’ interoperability and operational preparedness for UN peacekeeping operations and potential defence industrial collaboration.
