Description

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Context

A Delegation level meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Dubai Crown Prince & UAE Deputy PM Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aimed to enhance bilateral defence cooperation and offer India's indigenously developed Akash Surface to Air Missile system to the UAE.

Strategic Importance

Factor	Explanation
Regional Influence	Strengthens India’s strategic presence in the Gulf.
Defence Diplomacy	Enhances India’s image as a credible defence partner and exporter.
Indigenous Capability Promotion	Showcases India’s defence manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
Peace & Prosperity in the Region	Defence collaboration aimed at ensuring stability in the Gulf region.

Bilateral Defence Cooperation

Areas of Cooperation

Military Exercises e.g. air and naval drills

Training Exchanges

Technology Transfer & R&D

Defence Industrial Projects

Strategic Joint Ventures

Institutional Mechanisms

India UAE Defence Partnership Forum is a Platform to facilitate collaboration in defence production and innovation.

Complementary Policies

Make in India

Make in Emirates

Trilateral Framework between India, UAE and France

Area	Details
Launched	2022
Sectors	Defence, energy, technology, environment
Exercises	Desert Knight (Air Combat Exercise, Dec 2024) Maritime Partnership Exercise (June 2023, Arabian Sea)
Objective	Enhance interoperability and counter regional threats

About Akash Missile System

Feature	Details
Type	Short Range Surface to Air Missile
Developed by	DRDO
Manufactured by	Bharat Dynamics Ltd
Inducted	IAF (2014), Indian Army (2015)
Exported to	Armenia (first foreign buyer, 2022)

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value
Length	5.8 meters
Diameter	350 mm
Wingspan	1105 mm
Range	4.5 km to 25 km
Altitude	100 m to 20 km
Guidance	Command guidance
Targets	Aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, subsonic cruise missiles

Features

Multiple Target Engagement in Group Mode / Autonomous Mode

Mounted on mobile platforms

Radar

Rajendra Radar – 3D passive electronically scanned array (PESA)

Tracks range, azimuth and height

Built in Electronic Counter Counter Measures

Anti jamming Capabilities both Active and passive

Adaptable to current/future defence environments

India’s Defence Export Push

Exported Systems	Countries
BrahMos	Philippines (coastal batteries)
Akash, Pinaka, 155mm Artillery Guns	Armenia
Target Regions	Gulf countries, ASEAN nations

Sources:

TIMESOFINDIA

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. "India’s offer of the Akash missile system to the UAE signifies a shift in India’s defence diplomacy from strategic restraint to strategic outreach." Discuss in the context of India’s growing defence exports and regional partnerships. (250 words)