Oct 12, 2010

India Poland Defence Cooperation

The Prime Minister of Poland, Mr. Donald Tusk and his wife Mrs. Malgorzata Tusk visited India from September 6 to 8, 2010 while this was essentially to reestablish links after the grave tragedy in the unfortunate accident of the TU 154 and led to signing of an agreement on culture, defence relationship was also flagged. Ms B.B. Harrison, Joint Secretary (Central Europe) in Ministry of External Affairs highlighted in a Press Conference, “Defence cooperation with Poland began in early 1970s when, as you know, much of our defence equipment is of Soviet origin. So, Poland had at that time supplied us spares as well as technology for maintaining and upgrading several kinds of equipment, including something that they are currently interested in supplying to us also is tank recovery vehicles. They have expertise also in aircraft, some specific kinds of Soviet aircraft, again for which the up gradation technology as well as maintenance technology is something that Poland has”.

She also indicated that Poland was not only interested in selling the equipment to but is also ready to have joint ventures and transfer technology. A Polish company is in collaboration already with an Indian company for some items and there are discussions under way for expanding that cooperation further. She said that," Poland is interested in supplying tank recovery vehicles. The offer is based on past experience as Poland has supplied to India spares as well as technology for maintaining and upgrading several kinds of equipment. Poland is not only interested only in selling the equipment to India but is also ready for joint ventures and transfer technology."

OCT 2010