Germany Rethinks Defence Exports to India: Streamlined Processes for a Strategic Partner

Germany's Deputy Foreign Minister, Tobias Lindner, has signaled a shift in the nation's approach to defense exports.

The change specifically targets India, with the intention of streamlining processes and easing restrictions for the sale of German-made military equipment.

This announcement is a significant development for India's defense procurement efforts and highlights Germany's growing strategic considerations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Historical Context and Motivations​

Germany is renowned for its rigorous export control regulations, often limiting the sale of weapons systems abroad. This stance stems from the nation's historical legacy and a commitment to promoting peace through controlled arms trade. However, the evolving geopolitical landscape and strengthening ties with India have pushed Germany to reconsider its posture.

Recent frustrations in Indian procurement programs involving German components have underscored the need for reform. The Indian Light Tank Project, for instance, has been significantly delayed due to complications in securing German-made MTU powerpack engines.

These setbacks have driven India to seek alternatives, as evidenced by the decision to turn to American Cummins engines. Similarly, the unavailability of specialized MB 838 Ka-501 engines for India's Arjun Mk1A tanks highlights another hurdle created by rigid export limitations.

Germany's desire to bolster its partnership with India is the core of this change in policy. Recognizing India as a crucial strategic actor in the Indo-Pacific, Germany intends to solidify cooperation and elevate India's status as a key defense partner.

Potential Impact​

A streamlined export control process could make a substantial difference for Indian defense acquisitions. Smoother approvals would likely accelerate procurement timelines and reduce the risk of program delays stemming from issues with foreign components.

This would add greater reliability and predictability for India's defense modernization efforts.

Tobias Lindner's endorsement of TKMS's submarine offer further signifies Germany's commitment. TKMS has proposed extensive technology transfer and joint manufacturing arrangements for India's ambitious Project-75-I, adding a vital competitive element to the process.

Looking Ahead​

While Germany's decision promises positive outcomes, its potential impact remains to be fully seen. It's crucial to see how effectively streamlined processes are implemented.

Nonetheless, this announcement represents a notable shift in Germany's defense trade policy and indicates a deepening strategic relationship between Germany and India.

 

[Hari Sud]

Have less confidence in German export control supply chain.

 

[Pink Panther]

Let’s wait and see, dog’s tail can’t be straightened.

 

[Mithu Roy]

Instead of persuading Germans for engines,we can easily build it.need we can take consultation from AVL Austria.
All Indian auto companies are refining engines leveraging AVL

 

[NSR]

India must stick to Cummins engines for its Zorwar Tanks.

Germany is very unreliable ally when it comes to armaments and spares exports.
Germany, Learn to do business well with India as it is a major power now.

India, try to get license to produce for big ticket items like you did with GE F414 engine.
West just ditches older stuff and migrates to new tech stuff all the time.
So it is important to get GE F404 license too.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Let’s wait and see, dog’s tail can’t be straightened.

Not if you can shove in a bamboo into the dog's where the sun dont shine.
Ask China, how they force Germany to act as their bietch by yielding the trade stick.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Instead of persuading Germans for engines,we can easily build it.need we can take consultation from AVL Austria.
All Indian auto companies are refining engines leveraging AVL

No Indian DPSU wants to approach private sector to address its challenges.

Main reason being the DPSU's poor management and wasteful work culture will lay bare in the open for everyone to see and question, if they end up as weak link in such public-private collaborative defence projects.

 

[Anant]

When it comes to the engines for the Arjun Mk 1A, it is really difficult to blame Germany. After all, why would anyone keep a production line going for an older product when there are practically no concrete orders? No, that fiasco is entirely India's fault. Assuming we can actually integrate the DATRAN 1500 hp engine quickly, atleast something good will have come of this.

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

Ask for ToT for "licence production" for MTU 838 Ka-501. It's not being used in European MBTs❗

 

[Avada kedavra]

Just wondering one thing.
Indians already praise tata for building their cars like tanks.
Why not give them the opportunity to build a real tank?
They already are into the steel forging business and they also make their own engines now.

 

[Varaaah]

Germans are kidnappers who have illegally kidnapped an Indian child and are not giving her back to the Indian parents.
Don't do deals with such people.
God may know what they are doing with that poor child. Perhaps doing Mengele kind of experiments on her.
GoI must do something about her kidnapping and till she is freed, do not commit any new business with Germany.

 

[Out_for_vendetta]

Just wondering one thing.
Indians already praise tata for building their cars like tanks.
Why not give them the opportunity to build a real tank?
They already are into the steel forging business and they also make their own engines now.

Tata sources their engines from FIAT for all their civilian cars. And for tanks, they can participate in the FRCV programme, no one has stopped them.

 

[kumar]

Should have iron clad agreement if we go with Germans for subs. They need money and they are not able to sell to ch!nese because of US pressure.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

Desperation to get the supply of 155mm shells to Ukraine.

 

[Frank]

Now depend on Germany...

absolute shame..

How about building our own??

Thats the only permanent solution

 

[Frank]

Instead of persuading Germans for engines,we can easily build it.need we can take consultation from AVL Austria.
All Indian auto companies are refining engines leveraging AVL

exactly

 

[Frank]

Just wondering one thing.
Indians already praise tata for building their cars like tanks.
Why not give them the opportunity to build a real tank?
They already are into the steel forging business and they also make their own engines now.

tata are screw drivers

 

[Jay K Sinhal]

Some German communist sympathizers and leaders will bend backwards to promote and supply anything and everything to the communist China but all laws become apparent when it comes to democratic (chaotic) India.

 

[Tls Mani]

US & western nations equally delay & sabotage projects. In comparison Russia is reliable & quick decision maker. Ultimately better to rely on indigenous development & cost saving also

 

[Sandeep]

Unfortunately it's too late to provide the tank engines with technology transfer and local production as India waited for a few years and we never got a clear answer or timeline for them. As they are running a coalition government the left wing extremists did everything and anything to disrupt supplying key equipment and technology that we needed by using fake and flimsy excuses like breaking, neglecting or reducing the people's human rights, Kashmir, arbitrary detention, freedom of the press, religious tension, persecuting Muslims etc and a long list of other absolute rubbish.

Now India should focus on manufacturing and installing our own 100% indigenously designed and developed Datran 1500hp engine which is much better, stronger, faster, fuel efficient and reliable than anything they would provide and it's much cheaper to make, produce and any MRO checks throughout its lifetime.

The only product that we need is their German submarine and because of their delay and neglect its delayed our P75I. Now only Germany and Spain are the only 2 countries still in the competition but Germany now wants a government to government contract which will definitely cost more than if they submitted a bid in the competition with Spain. With 2 countries competing against each other they both need to quote the cheapest amount to try and win the contract. The only problem is that P75I has been delayed for over 10 years and we desperately need more submarines as ours is ageing at a fast rate and the technology will soon become obsolete including the type of weapons it can use which is just as old.