India and South Africa on Wednesday signed a wide ranging defence cooperation agreement to form a framework for regular dialogue on security issues, holding of joint military exercises and co-development of conventional weapon systems.
The agreement signed by Defence Minister George Fernandes and his South African counterpart M P S Lekotia, according to officials, will also encourage and facilitate cooperation between defence industries, specially establishing joint ventures, coproduction and joint marketing of weapons systems.
The two countries also agreed to focus on joint research in science and technology on building military hardware, testing and evaluation and quality assurance.
Officials said that the new agreement also provides for exchanges of personnel of the science and defence technology establishments of the two countries and also envisages training and exchange of service personnel, including military and medical experts, maritime cooperation including goodwill and goodwill visits by warships.
“The agreement is wide ranging in it's scope and establishes India and South Africa as long term defence partners,” commented the South African defence minister, after the signing ceremony. Bureau Report