New Delhi, Dec 03: South Africa, already a major supplier of 155mm guns ammunition and mineproof vehicles to the Indian Army, has proposed similar cooperation with the air force. The South African proposals were put forward at the fourth meeting of the Indo-South African Joint Committee on defence cooperation which met here today.

The Pretoria team also submitted proposals to enhance Indian defence costing and budgeting at the meeting which took an overview of regional security and environment and developments in respect of peace and security.

A defence ministry spokesman said that in the meeting the status and progress of various agreements and joint projects between both the countries also were reviewed.

He said the Indian side led by the defence secretary Ajay Prasad and comprising senior officers of the ministry, DRDO and three services briefed the South Africans about regional security issues including the recent initiatives with Pakistan and the situation in Afghanistan.
Also figuring in the talks were issues of training of armed forces personnel from South Africa, visits of military study teams and setting up of more arms related joint ventures.

The South African side pressed for the sale of its track 155mm guns to the Indian Army. India is seeking to import 400 guns more of upgraded 52 calibre.

However, during two rounds of trials held over the last two years South African guns had proved to be a poor second to the Swedish arms company's 155mm guns, which has now been taken over by American giant united defence. Bureau Report