Belgium assures India on Pakistan defence ties as firms sign key pacts, including mine warfare
The two countries also signed a Letter of Intent providing a framework for structured cooperation between their armed forces.
theprint.in
Mine warfare
A potentially more strategically significant agreement has been signed between Exail Belgium and Larsen & Toubro, which is bidding for India’s mine-countermeasure vessel programme.
Under the agreement, Exail will supply the autonomous systems or “toolboxes” used to detect, identify and neutralise naval mines.
The first phase of India’s programme involves 12 vessels, although the requirement could eventually expand to as many as 59 vessels, the Belgium government said.
Belgium sees maritime security as one of the most promising areas of future cooperation with India, including mine countermeasures, autonomous maritime systems, underwater robotics, advanced sensors and protection of critical infrastructure such as ports, pipelines and subsea data cables.
Under the agreement, Exail will supply the autonomous systems or “toolboxes” used to detect, identify and neutralise naval mines.
The first phase of India’s programme involves 12 vessels, although the requirement could eventually expand to as many as 59 vessels, the Belgium government said.
Belgium sees maritime security as one of the most promising areas of future cooperation with India, including mine countermeasures, autonomous maritime systems, underwater robotics, advanced sensors and protection of critical infrastructure such as ports, pipelines and subsea data cables.
