DEFENCE COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH
CZECH REPUBLIC SIGNED
India and the Czech
Republic have signed an agreement on Defence Cooperation. The
agreement was signed by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes
and his Czech counterpart Miroslav Kostelka in Prague on Monday.
Before the signing
of the agreement both sides had elaborate discussions on matter
of mutual interest. The highlights of the discussion include possibilities
of joint production of trucks for the Indian Army, exploring the
possibilities of procurement of protective equipment in nuclear,
biological and chemical warfare, upgradation of T-72 tanks, MI
series helicopters etc. It was also agreed that the two countries
would constitute a Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation which
would meet annually.
Bharat Earth Movers
Ltd. (BEML), a defence public sector undertaking and Tatra of
Czech Republic are already engaged in joint production of trucks
for the Indian Army. It has also been decided to increase the
role of BEML in the joint production.
The Defence Minister
also held discussions with the Czech Prime Minister Mr. Vladimir
Spidla. He also met the association of Czech Defence Industry
and visited the plant where trucks for Indian Armed Forces are
manufactured. Shri George Fernandes witnessed a live demonstration
by a frontline Czech unit specialising in Nuclear, Biological
and Chemical warfare counter measures.
The Indian Defence
delegation which included the Defence Secretary and Senior service
representatives was on a three day visit to the Czech Republic.
