India, Germany conduct naval exercises
India and Germany are holding their first-ever joint sea exercises in Indian waters from April 7, a follow-up of the Indo-German Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2006.
Manned by 700 personnel, the German flotilla included three warships, FGS Hamburg, FGS Koln and FGS Berlin, commanded by Capt. Michael Budde.
The joint exercise, scheduled to last for about 10 hours, will include seamanship exercise, communication, exchange of personnel and flying exercises, a senior Indian Navy official said.
Two Indian Navy frigates, INS Tir and INS Krishna, and a helicopter and training ships are representing the Indian Navy manned by 300 personnel.
The defense cooperation agreement signed in 2006 opened the doors for German technology transfer to India and provided the framework for holding joint naval exercises and other interaction between their armed forces, said a diplomat of the German Embassy.
Germany is keen to compete for the Indian Navy's intended purchase of six new submarines worth $4 billion. In the first Indo-German High Defence Committee meeting held here last year, Germany assured India it would include technology transfer whenever possible in armament procurement and joint weapon development programs.
SOURCE: www.defensenews.com.
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